- Kristin Leary, an obstetrician-gynecologist from De Pere, Wisconsin, is running to represent the state’s 8th Congressional District.
- Ryerley is joining two other Republicans, state Sen. Andre Jacques and former state Sen. Roger Ross, in their bids for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher. Pro-Trump political consultant Alex Brucewicz is also expected to join the race in the near future.
- The district stretches from the Door Peninsula to the Menominee Reservation and includes the cities of Green Bay and Appleton. Republicans generally have an easy victory.
An abortion doctor became the first Democratic candidate Thursday in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, joining the race for the open seat created after the sudden retirement of Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Christine Leary announced her candidacy two weeks before Gallagher was scheduled to resign. Due to the timing of his resignation, a special election will not be held.
As of now, Leary has no opponent in the Democratic primary, which will be decided on August 13th. The Democratic Party has not fielded a candidate for the 2022 election.
Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher announces his candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives
Two Republicans are running, state Sen. Andre Jacques and former state Sen. Roger Ross, and a third is expected to run next week. Republican consultant Alex Brucewicz was scheduled to make an announcement Monday. Brucewicz, 26, was born in Wisconsin and currently lives in Florida. He would have to return to Wisconsin to run for the seat.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 31: Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) holds a hearing on the House of Representatives (Select) Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Committee at the Capitol on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC. Preside. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Leary has announced that he plans to make abortion a central issue in his campaign.
Ryerley was one of the plaintiffs in the Wisconsin lawsuit that successfully legalized abortion after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022. She performed abortions throughout Wisconsin, but after the Supreme Court ruling, she temporarily moved her practice to Minnesota.
“As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I have been directly attacked by MAGA extremists who target women’s right to make their own health choices,” Leary said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that every woman in our state has access to reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, essential services like maternity care, and mental health support. ”
Gallagher was elected four times to Congress from northeastern Wisconsin. His early resignation would give Republicans a 217-213 majority in the House, meaning they cannot afford to lose a plurality of partisan votes.
Gallagher has found himself at odds with former President Donald Trump and his supporters. He also angered Republican lawmakers last month by refusing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Jack, Ross, and Brusewitz are all Trump supporters and oppose abortion.
The district is solidly Republican, but Democrats have vowed to make it competitive.
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Although he lost the state to President Joe Biden by less than a point in 2020, Trump won the district by 16 points. Mr. Gallagher was re-elected three times by margins of 25 points or more. The district includes the cities of Appleton and Green Bay in Door County and covers most of the rural area north of Marinette.
