GOP retains 2 Wisconsin congressional seats with third race too early to call

By SCOTT BAUER Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans held on to two key congressional seats in Wisconsin and were on the verge of retaining a third in Tuesday's elections.

An incumbent Republican defeated a former Democrat congressman in southeast Wisconsin. A political rookie with former President Donald Trump in his corner defeated a Democratic newcomer to win an open seat in northeastern Wisconsin and a first-term Republican who was in the nation's Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was trying to fend off a political activist in western Wisconsin.

Here's a look at the three most-watched congressional races in Wisconsin:

Republican wins reelection

Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil won reelection to a fourth term representing southeast Wisconsin.

He defeated Peter Barca, the last Democrat to hold the seat in 1995. Barca served less than two years.

Barca previously served two stints in the state Legislature over more than 18 years and resigned after more than five years as state revenue secretary to take on Steil.

The seat, once held by former Speaker Paul Ryan, was made more competitive for Democrats following the latest round of redistricting. The district north of Illinois includes the cities of Kenosha, Racine and Janesville.

Barca campaign manager Ryan Paolilli didn’t immediately return a voicemail message late Tuesday evening. Steil issued a statement thanking voters for their trust and promising to lower costs and “have a nation that works for everyone.”

Trump-backed candidate takes open seat

Former gas station chain owner Tony Wied, running his first race, won the contest for northeast Wisconsin’s open congressional district, defeating an abortion rights advocate.

Wied had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump in his race against Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician who sued to overturn Wisconsin’s abortion ban.

Lyerly tried to make the race in the heavily Republican district about abortion.

The seat was vacant after the surprise resignation earlier this year of Republican Mike Gallagher, a sometime critic of Trump’s.

The heavily Republican district includes cities such as Green Bay as well as rural areas.

Lyerly’s campaign spokesperson, Kurt Frewing, said that Lyerly congratulated Wied but had no further comment.

Wied promised in a statement to bring “some Wisconsin commonsense to Washington to lower everyday costs, secure the southern border, and reign in out-of-control government spending.”

Democrats eye flip in western Wisconsin

Western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, which had been represented by a Democrat for 26 years before it flipped in 2022 with the win by Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, is the most competitive district in the state.

Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and remains one of Trump’s loudest backers in Wisconsin.

He is a top target for Democrats. Former small-business owner and political activist Rebecca Cooke won a three-person primary to take on Van Orden. She has raised more money than any other Democratic challenger in the state, a sign of Democratic optimism for the race.

Van Orden was leading Cooke as of early Wednesday morning but it was still too early to call the race.

With the Mississippi River and Minnesota to the west, the district includes the rolling hills of the Driftless Area and Chippewa Falls. From Illinois, it stretches 250 miles (400 kilometers) north past Prairie du Chien, known for its Cabela’s outdoor gear distribution center and 19th-century riverside historic sites.