Democrats’ path to the majority depends on ousting the House Republicans in districts that Joe Biden won in 2020, and Kamala Harris is likely to win this year. But there are a few places across the country where a polarizing GOP member has given Democrats an opening in territory where Republicans normally wouldn’t have much trouble.
That includes Wisconsin’s 3rd District, held by Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. The freshman congressman marched to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and has a penchant for picking fights with his political opponents — and occasionally high school students. Next Tuesday, Democratic voters will choose their nominee to take on Van Orden.
Democrats also feel bullish about their chances in Wisconsin’s suburban 1st District, which Trump won by three points in 2020. The DCCC recently added former Rep. Peter Barca (who doesn’t have a primary) to its Red to Blue list of challenger candidates to watch. But GOP Rep. Bryan Steil — former House Speaker Paul Ryan’s handpicked successor — keeps a much lower profile and has a $4.7 million war chest. We have
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The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President as well as American political trends.
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