In Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, a physician who performs abortions became the first Democratic contender on Thursday, vying for the seat left vacant by Republican Representative Mike Gallagher’s unexpected retirement.
The obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Kristin Lyerly announced her candidacy two weeks prior to Gallagher’s anticipated resignation. There won’t be a special election due to the time of his resignation.
As of right now, Lyerly has no opponents in the Democratic primary, which is set for August 13. Democrats did not have a candidate in the election of 2022.
Three Republicans are likely to enter the race next week, including state senator Andre Jacque and former state senator Roger Roth.
Alex Bruesewitz, a Republican consultant, was scheduled to make a statement on Monday. Bruesewitz, a 26-year-old Florida resident, was born in Wisconsin. In order to run for the position, he would need to return to Wisconsin.
It was made plain by Lyerly that she would make abortion a major campaign issue.
After the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade in 2022, Lyerly was one of the plaintiffs in a Wisconsin lawsuit that was successful in maintaining the legality of abortions. After the Supreme Court’s decision, she temporarily relocated her abortion business from Wisconsin to Minnesota.
“As an OB/GYN, I have been attacked first hand by MAGA extremists targeting a woman’s right to make her own health choices,” Lyerly stated. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that every woman in our state has access to reproductive care, including safe and legal abortions, essential services like maternity care, and mental health support.”
The executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life expressed disapproval of Lyerly’s candidacy, stating that “Wisconsin needs elected officials who protect all life.”
Four times, Gallagher was chosen to represent northeast Wisconsin. Republicans have a 217–213 majority in the House as a result of his early departure, meaning they cannot afford to lose more than one vote on a party-line vote.
Gallagher encountered disagreements with the followers of former President Donald Trump. Last month, he infuriated his fellow Republicans by standing by Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, against impeachment.
Trump supporters Jacque, Roth, and Bruesewitz are anti-abortion.
