Dr. Kristin Lyerly is a health care provider in northeast Wisconsin who is running as a Democrat for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District in 2024.

“It’s not all that different, really. When someone comes to see me, they have a problem, just like a constituent,” she said.

The seat has been held by Republicans since 2011.

“It’s one of those districts that it appears, I think, really solidly Republican, right, because for the past 10 years plus, there has been a Republican representative,” said UW-Green Bay political science professor David Helpap. “But at the same time, it has not been really firmly set in stone, and the district really does vary.”

In the November election, Lyerly will face Republican businessman Tony Wied, who won a three-way race in the August partisan primary. Wied did not respond to multiple requests from Here & Now for an interview. However, in an audio interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, he thanked voters on the primary election night.

“We did a good job in this process, and the voters made the decision. And I’m thankful for their call,” he said.

Wied’s platform is largely based on his endorsement from former president Donald Trump. Helpap said the Trump endorsement was critical in Wied’s primary win.

“The question is, will it provide help in that general election? Because what we’ve seen with some other races is the Trump endorsement can really help in the primary, but it might be less so in the general election,” said Helpap.

National politics could also play a role in Lyerly’s campaign, now that Democrats are rallying around Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s presidential nominee.

Dr. Kristen Lyerly, the Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District in 2024, discusses her campaign’s focus on abortion access and rural health care. “We don’t have enough doctors in rural areas, and we’re not doing enough to address that,” Lyerly said. “Add on top of that complex abortion bans like what we’ve seen in Wisconsin. We know the data shows that that affects the number of doctors that we train.” (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

“Maybe Lyerly can ride that as well, right?” Helpap said. “To use that enthusiasm to say, “Hey, this is where we’re going as a party, this is where we’re going as a country. I can be your local representative of that.'”

Lyerly’s campaign emphasizes her role as an OB/GYN. She focuses on issues like abortion access and rural health care.

“We don’t have enough doctors in rural areas, and we’re not doing enough to address that,” she said. “Add on top of that complex abortion bans like what we’ve seen in Wisconsin. We know the data shows that that affects the number of doctors that we train.”

In a debate ahead of the primary, Wied said his health care policy includes reducing federal spending on Medicare.

“We’re seeing health care companies continue to merge and what’s happening there,” he said. We see it, you know, whenever there is less competition, you’re going to continue to have higher prices. And that’s a big concern for me. So we need to dig into that. We need more competitiveness.”

Tony Wied, the Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District in 2024, participates in a primary debate on July 25, in Green Bay. “We need to find additional ways for companies and businesses to grow — and more tax incentives. And so I will be an advocate for our businesses. That’s the driver of our economy here in District 8,” Wied said. (Credit: Courtesy of Wisconsin Eye)

The candidates contrast on most issues, including economic policy.

“We need to find additional ways for companies and businesses to grow — and more tax incentives. And so I will be an advocate for our businesses. That’s the driver of our economy here in District 8,” said Wied.

“There aren’t enough child care providers, paid family and medical leave. All of these things will help people as we are trying to further our economy,” said Lyerly.

Lyerly is paying close attention to the district’s swing voters, which she’ll need to win the general election.

“There’s always that nugget of shared values where you can start and grow out from there. I never start from, ‘Are you a Republican or a Democrat?’ It doesn’t make any sense, and it doesn’t get you anywhere,” she said.

David Helpap, a political science professor at UW-Green Bay, discusses the 8th Congressional District on August 14, 2024. “It’s one of those districts that it appears, I think, really solidly Republican, right, because for the past 10 years plus, there has been a Republican representative,” Helpap said. “But at the same time, it has not been really firmly set in stone, and the district really does vary.” (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

Leading up to November, Helpap said both candidates have work to do activating voters in their district.

“For him in particular, getting out there and telling people who he is, what his policies are, even if they are very aligned with the former president, it’s still getting people to know that,” Helpap said about Wied.

“And for her, really pushing those issues that she thinks can motivate people, and not just talking to the folks that would sort of naturally vote for a Democratic candidate,” said Helpap about Lyerly.

Wied and Lyerly will each be on the ballot twice on Nov. 5, for the general election and a special election that determines who will finish the rest of former U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher’s term after his resignation in April.