National Republicans feature western Wisconsin congressman in new ad campaign
(The Center Square) – It’s the latest sign of the pending fight for Congress in western Wisconsin.
The National Republican Congressional Committee on Thursday launched its Majority Makers web series featuring Congressman Derrick Van Orden.
The two-minute video features Van Orden telling his story about his life, his view on the country and his first term in Congress.
“If I were not in Congress now, I’d be incredibly frustrated because I saw what the Biden Administration and a lot of other folks have done to this nation in such a short period of time,” Van Orden said in the video. “And I know that I can potentially affect positive change.”
Mike Marinella with the NRCC told The Center Square the video “is a great opportunity to show the voters of western Wisconsin Van Orden’s background, how his story translates to his mission in Congress and his motivation to govern by consensus.”
That’s a point that Marinella said is aimed at conservative voters in western Wisconsin as well.
“There are some people who confuse compromise with capitulation.” Van Orden said. “And I have not done so.”
Marinella said Van Orden was never afraid to stand up for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and “called-out Freedom Caucus members who just wanted chaos.”
Van Orden is in his first term and facing re-ection in one of Wisconsin’s two swing districts, but he is considered the most vulnerable Republican.
“Given that Van Order is the only ‘NRCC Patriot,’ a Republican in a toss-up district, I don’t foresee videos for any other Wisconsin delegation members,” Marinella said.
Van Orden could also see his district boundaries changed.
There is a challenge to Wisconsin’s congressional map that is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Marinella said he’s not that worried about Van Orden’s district lines shifting one way or the other.
“I’m personally optimistic about the WI Congressional maps being untouched this cycle… the legislative maps are a different story,” Marinella said.
