Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District is gearing up for a special election following former U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher’s departure in April. Three Republicans are vying for the primary nomination in August to face the sole Democratic candidate in November’s general election.

“We’ve got a lot of great people here in northeast Wisconsin, great Republicans running,” said Roger Roth, who served 12 years in the state Legislature, including as senate president, until stepping aside in 2023.

“I think it’s important that we have someone from northeast Wisconsin — blue collar, worked with their hands, understands how decisions out there, how they impact families here in northeast Wisconsin,” he said.

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Lyerly, Wied vie for Wisconsin's 8th Congressional in 2024

Roger Roth, a Republican primary candidate for the 8th Congressional District, describes his ideal characteristics for the office of candidates in an interview on July 10, 2024. “I think it’s important that we have someone from northeast Wisconsin — blue collar, worked with their hands, understands how decisions out there, how they impact families here in northeast Wisconsin,” Roth said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

State Sen. André Jacque has served 14 years in the state Legislature, and currently represents part of northeast Wisconsin in the state Senate. He’s running on his record of bipartisan cooperation.

“Everybody’s going to tell you what you want to hear at election time. I’m the guy that means it,” said Jacque, who now lives just outside his senate district due to redistricting. He emphasized his experience tackling issues like government spending.

“I bear the scars of having spoken my conscience and fought for my constituents,” he said.

State Sen. André Jacque, a Republican primary candidate for the 8th Congressional District, describes why he’s running for the seat in an interview on July 10, 2024 in De Pere. “Everybody’s going to tell you what you want to hear at election time. I’m the guy that means it,” Jacque said. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

Both Jacque and Roth bring to the table years of experience in the state Legislature. Tony Wied, a political outsider and former business owner, sees his lack of political experience as an asset.

Wied did not respond to multiple requests from PBS Wisconsin for an interview. However, in an audio interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, he said, “I have that real world experience of actually operating things, and growing and building businesses, and I can actually go and make a difference.”

The three Republicans share common ground on issues like inflation.

“Federal government has to stop spending money,” Roth said.

“We need to really look at the baseline expenditure, line item and basically, get into zero-based budgeting,” said Jacque.

Border security is another priority among these candidates.

“The first thing is we have to have a vetting and an orderly process for anybody that’s looking to come into the country,” Jacque said.

“We need to build the border wall,” said Wied in a July 24 debate on WisconsinEye.

Tony Wied, a Republican primary candidate for the 8th Congressional District, speaks at a campaign event. (Courtesy: WBAY-TV)

Each candidate has their unique selling points for Republican primary voters.

Wied touts his endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

“I’m very proud to be the only candidate endorsed by President Trump in this race. This is an honor of a lifetime,” he said.

Jacque highlights his endorsements from law enforcement and pro-life organizations as his conservative credentials.

“What I’m most proud of is — really from taxpayers’ perspective — eliminating any number of subsidies for elective abortion. I’ve done that systematically at the state level. There are actually far more that exist at the federal level,” he said.

Roth, endorsed by former Gov. Scott Walker, wants to make it mandatory for public employees to work in person.

“It’s time we brought civil service reform to Washington,” he said. “I will take that issue that I worked on and was able to get through with Governor Scott Walker, who’s endorsing me in this race. I’ll be able to go and make strong advances on that issue on day one.”

Despite Trump’s endorsement of Wied, both Roth and Jacque remain confident in their campaigns.

“Every candidate’s going to have their endorsements,” Jacque said. “I don’t know how much weight that in particular has.”

“Trump made a decision. He was given some bad information,” said Roth. “But at the end of the day, he supports winners. We’re going to win this election.”

The primary election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 13.