Door County Democrats face a double challenge in 2024, reelecting Tammy and filling 8th CD seat.
Politico is reporting that National Republicans have concluded Congressman Mike Gallagher (Wis. 8th Congressional District) would be their strongest possible nominee and are eagerly courting him. Gallagher has met with the NRSC and has not closed the door on a bid, according to two people familiar with the discussions. [1]
Baldwin is running to secure a third term as Wisconsin’s first female senator and the country’s first openly gay senator. She won her last election in 2018 by 11 points.
The Cook Political Report rates the seat as “lean Republican.”
Gallagher, a rising star in the GOP, has burnished his record by openly criticizing former President Donald Trump. Gallagher said on PBS that Trump “lost my support” after the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol and that was not going to change. However, this loss of support was not common knowledge until his March 2023 interview on PBS. Had Gallagher run for Senate in 2022, pro-Trump political consultant Alex Bruesewitz was prepared to launch a bid for the open House seat. [2]
This is not Gallagher’s first consideration to run for the Senate. He was floated as a potential Senate contender should Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) not run for reelection in 2022.. Amidst the speculative period prior to Johnson’s eventual choice to run again, Gallagher reportedly made significant gains in campaign financing. It is reasonable to assume he will have even greater fundraising success in the 2024 season. [3
The local impact to Door County, and other 8th District Democrats, is the potential that our Congressional seat will be open to challenge. Although the seat has been characterized as “safely Republican”, the lack of an incumbent in the race changes everything. Expect relatively under-exposed “23 for ’24 campaign” to made itself known. Never heard of it you say – bet on that changing.
Sources:
[1] Article by ALLY MUTNICK 06/02/2023 in Poliltico
[2] Article by Rachel Schilke 6/02/2023 in Washington Examiner
[3] Article by Julia Manchester – 07/12/2021 in the Hill
