Madison — On Thursday, an abortionist became Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District's first Democratic candidate after Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher unexpectedly resigned.
Two weeks before Gallagher's departure, obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Kristin Lyerly ran. His resignation date precludes a special election. Lyerly is unchallenged in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary. Democrats ran no candidate in 2022.
A third Republican is set to enter next week, joining state Sen. Andre Jacque and former state Sen. Roger Roth. Republican consultant Alex Bruesewitz planned a Monday announcement. Bruesewitz, 26, is from Wisconsin but lives in Florida. Running for the seat would require returning to Wisconsin.
Lyerly stated that abortion would be her campaign issue. A Wisconsin case won legalization of abortions after the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade in 2022, with Lyerly as a plaintiff. She performed abortions in Wisconsin but went to Minnesota after the Supreme Court verdict.
As an OB/GYN, I have seen MAGA extremists attack women's health choices,” Lyerly said. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that every woman in our state has access to reproductive care, including safe and legal abortions, maternity care, and mental health support.”
Executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life slammed Lyerly's entry, saying “Wisconsin needs elected officials who protect all life.” Gallagher won four northeast Wisconsin elections. After his early departure, Republicans have a 217-213 House majority and cannot afford to lose more than one party-line vote.
Gallagher disagreed with former President Donald Trump and his followers. He outraged Republicans last month by not impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Jacque, Roth, and Bruesewitz support Trump and oppose abortion. Republicans dominate the district, but Democrats promise to compete.
Trump won the district by 16 points in 2020 despite losing the state to President Joe Biden by less than a point. Gallagher was reelected three times by 25 points. Appleton, Green Bay, Door County, and primarily rural areas north of Marinette are in the district.
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