By Aditi Debnath | Here & Now
Green Bay, WI – Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District is gearing up for a special election following former U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher’s departure in April. Three Republicans are vying for the primary nomination in August to face the sole Democratic candidate in November’s general election.
“We’ve got a lot of great people here in northeast Wisconsin, great Republicans running,” said Roger Roth, who served 12 years in the state Legislature, including as senate president, until stepping aside in 2023.
“I think it’s important that we have someone from northeast Wisconsin — blue collar, worked with their hands, understands how decisions out there, how they impact families here in northeast Wisconsin,” he said….
Roth, endorsed by former Gov. Scott Walker, wants to make it mandatory for public employees to work in person.
“It’s time we brought civil service reform to Washington,” he said. “I will take that issue that I worked on and was able to get through with Governor Scott Walker, who’s endorsing me in this race. I’ll be able to go and make strong advances on that issue on day one.”
Despite Trump’s endorsement of Wied, both Roth and Jacque remain confident in their campaigns.
“Every candidate’s going to have their endorsements,” Jacque said. “I don’t know how much weight that in particular has.”
“Trump made a decision. He was given some bad information,” said Roth. “But at the end of the day, he supports winners. We’re going to win this election.”
The primary election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 13.