Former President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed candidate Derrick Van Orden in an important Wisconsin swing district, representing the 3rd Congressional District of the state.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, Trump highlighted Van Orden’s record as a military veteran and praised the veteran’s stance on key issues.
“Derrick Van Orden is running for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Derrick is a former Navy SEAL Senior Chief who bravely served and defended our Country. He strongly supports our Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, and he will always fight for Secure Borders, the Second Amendment, and our incredible Farmers. Derrick has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump said in the brief statement.
Trump’s endorsement will likely boost Van Orden’s campaign in the Republican primary for the open seat in the southwestern part of the state.
The former president’s support follows U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI-03) announcing on Tuesday that he will retire from Congress at the end of his term.
The incumbent lawmaker defeated Van Orden in 2020 by less than three percentage points, after previously winning by nearly 20 points in the 2018 election cycle.
According to Van Orden’s campaign website, the former Navy SEAL will focus on a variety of issues in his campaign for the open seat. Specifically, he lists key, current issues that are facing working-class Americans.
“Hundreds of parents throughout the 3rd Congressional District have verbalized their frustration with unresponsive and dismissive school boards, particularly in relation to the mandatory mask policy that many schools maintain. I encourage you to bring these issues to the board’s attention and to ask for them to vote to make masks optional, if that is your choice for your children. Unfortunately, many boards have continued to ignore your wishes to be involved in the health decisions for your children or to even allow your voices to be heard,” Van Orden said of recently-imposed mask mandates.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Derrick Van Orden” by Derrick Van Orden, photo “Donald Trump” by Donald Trump and photo “Wisconsin State Capitol Building” by Vijay Kumar Koulampet CC BY-SA 3.0.
