PBS Wisconsin Public Affairs

[upbeat music] - My name is Ben Steinhoff and I'm running for Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District against Scott Fitzgerald.

I never planned to run for Congress.

But over the last four years that my opponent has been in office, it's become clear that the people of Wisconsin want change.

The only way to change Washington is to change who we send there.

For almost 15 years, I've served our community as a first responder paramedic, firefighter, dispatcher, and worked in a children's emergency department and operating room.

I've dedicated my career to preserving life in fighting for the most vulnerable on the front lines while working paycheck to paycheck and struggling to make ends meet.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent what little free time I had volunteering for my local EMS agency because I saw the desperate need for EMTs in my rural community.

My opponent, as a majority leader of the Wisconsin State Senate, while running for Congress, blocked federal emergency funding to rural communities like mine when we needed it most.

Not long after, my department was forced to shut its doors and cease vital 911 operations.

After my rural community was stripped of these critical emergency services, I knew I had no other choice but to fight for those in rural communities who so desperately need new leadership.

My campaign is entirely funded by small dollar contributions from every corner of the district, while my opponent has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from insurance, banking, and investment corporations.

And every day in Congress, he puts the interest of his donors over the needs of our constituents.

As someone who's felt the pain of knowing your paycheck is gone before you even receive it, I will fight in Washington to help the working class get ahead by championing legislation that puts Main Street over Wall Street.

I've spent my entire career fighting for those who need help the most.

And as your representative, I'll fight for you as I was trained to do on the front lines.

I'm running for Congress to fight for you.