Wisconsin Republican on reelection bid: ‘I don’t really follow that’

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) said Wednesday he is not focusing on his reelection campaign, less than seven months before the midterms. 

In a video shared by Charlotte Scott of Spectrum News on the social platform X, Van Orden said on the Capitol steps that a Democratic-backed redistricting initiative that passed in Virginia on Tuesday was “completely disingenuous.”

When asked whether Republicans in the Texas Legislature should have started the redistricting battle last summer, the Wisconsin Republican said he pays “attention to Wisconsin” and is not focused on things he cannot control.

“I’ve got a lot of friends here in Congress that are Republicans in Virginia, and if this goes through, I’ll miss them,” Van Orden continued. “But I don’t even know if I’m going to get reelected. I don’t really follow that either, sorry to disappoint you guys.”

“I’m just a horrible politician, I guess,” he added.

Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, was first elected to represent the Badger State’s 3rd Congressional District in 2022, defeating Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D) by less than 4 percentage points. 

Two years later, he defeated Democrat Rebecca Cooke by less than 3 percentage points. 

Cooke, a former board member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, is running again this time around. As of March 31, her campaign had more than $4.4 million on hand, while Van Orden’s had more than $3.8 million, according to their quarterly filings with the Federal Election Commission. 

The primary is set for Aug. 11. Democrats Emily Berge, Melvin Marin and Rodney Rave are also running.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Van Orden’s bid for a third term in the lower chamber as a “Toss Up.” That makes it one of 16 House races with that distinction, with 13 of those seats occupied by Republicans.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Senators to introduce Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act for SNAP recipients

2 Republicans break with party as GOP defeats budget amendment to lower health ...

4 GOP senators vote against adding SAVE America Act to budget package

2 GOP senators break ranks on final Senate budget vote

House Judiciary Democrats demand Patel take alcohol disorders test following ...

5 takeaways from first major California governor’s debate after Swalwell exit

House Republicans grumbling about ‘skinny’ ICE funding package complicates ...

Mullin calls Schumer ‘lying scumbag politician’ amid GOP push to fund DHS

Collins, Sullivan break with Senate GOP leaders on amendment to reverse SNAP ...

Soldier in Maduro raid charged over prediction market bets on operation: DOJ

Justice Department targets citizens in new denaturalization push

3 GOP senators break with leaders over addressing insurance companies’ denial ...

Wisconsin Republican on reelection bid: ‘I don’t really follow that’

Jim Jordan blames Democrats for 10 percent approval rating of Congress

Rove: 3 Democratic White House hopefuls ‘have elements of a winning formula’

New York Times alleges FBI investigated journalist after report about Patel ...

Jeffries warns Democrats might not support FISA reauthorization if Patel ...

Iran’s supreme leader awaiting prosthetic leg, plastic surgery on face: New ...

© The Hill