Democrats target Wisconsin’s 1st District in bid to unseat Rep. Steil

Democrats are focusing on Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Bryan Steil as the mid‑term map expands.

Mitchell Berman, a nurse and first‑time candidate, is the Democratic challenger. He told the Associated Press that voters are “angry” and looking for someone who “has walked a mile in my shoes.” Berman is campaigning in Racine, where he has been meeting residents at a downtown coffee shop.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the district to its “red to blue” programme in September, unlocking additional resources and fundraising for Berman. Despite this boost, Steil, who is seeking a fifth term, downplayed the challenge, saying his team has repeatedly succeeded in reaching voters.

Republican‑aligned No Going Back PAC has spent about €90,000 on mailings in the district, while Steil’s campaign and supporters have outspent Berman roughly two‑to‑one. According to AdImpact data, Steil entered August with €6.3 million cash on hand, compared with just under €152,000 for Berman.

Former Democrat Peter Barca, who held the seat from 1993 to 1995, noted that a “big enough wave” could still help Berman despite the financial gap. The district, which includes Kenosha, Janesville and Racine, leans Republican but became more competitive after the 2022 congressional map changes.

Both parties acknowledge the difficulty of overturning a long‑standing Republican hold, with the area still feeling the effects of past manufacturing job losses.

Source: ABC News. Photo: Cristian Loayza / Pexels.