Who's running in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Tony Wied currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering the cost of goods, health care and insurance.
Health care as a universal human right, including expanding Medicaid.
Reclaiming congressional authority over tariffs, spending and war from the president.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Act, codifying abortion rights and banning congressional stock trading.
Raising the Social Security payroll tax cap, universal child care and free four-year public college.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Retired US Army lieutenant colonel.
Former member of the Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education.
Won the August 11, 2026 Democratic primary with about 35%.
Endorsed by 2024 Democratic nominee Kristin Lyerly and several state Assembly members and local officials.
Pledged not to take money from political action committees.
Arguments in favor
'Congress holds the power of the purse, the authority over tariffs, and the power to declare war' — his oath 'doesn't expire when it's inconvenient for the party', and he is ready to take back congressional authority improperly handed to the president.
— Rick Crosson, statement reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette
He has built a broad coalition across the political spectrum and is 'not afraid of having town halls, even amongst people who might not like me'.
— Rick Crosson, to Wisconsin Watch and WBAY
Arguments against
Whoever the Democrats nominate must explain whether they 'support the Democrat Party's lean and continued slide into socialist policies' that 'want to abolish the police and, you know, abolish prisons and raise taxes'.
— Rep. Tony Wied, Republican opponent, to WBAY
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of Crosson's own record by name from Wied's campaign or the NRCC could be found.
His campaign website and fundraising totals were not read.
Whether he and Wied will debate had not been reported.
Tariffs to cut the trade deficit and 'force other countries to buy our goods'.
Reducing the national debt and returning to a gold standard.
Ending the war with Iran and refocusing on issues at home.
Tax cuts in the 2025 Republican budget law to 'put more money back in your pocket'.
Congressional term limits; concern that Flock license-plate cameras violate the Fourth Amendment.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Wisconsin's 8th District since November 2024, after winning a special election to succeed Mike Gallagher.
Former owner of the Dino Stop gas station chain; St. Norbert College graduate.
Voted for the 2025 Republican budget law.
Won 57.3% in 2024; unopposed in the August 11, 2026 Republican primary.
Says he has brought $12.4 million in federal funding back to the district.
Arguments in favor
He has delivered on tax policy, border security, agriculture and infrastructure, including $12.4 million in funding brought back to the district, and is ready to defend his record.
— Rep. Tony Wied, to WBAY
Previous trade agreements were unfair to American producers, and he has taken small businesses' tariff concerns directly to the White House while pushing to end the Iran war and 'refocus on the issues that matter most to people here at home.'
— Rep. Tony Wied, Aug. 31 town hall reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette
Arguments against
'On the debt, the tariffs, and the war, the congressman told his constituents what he hopes the president will do' instead of using Congress's own powers over spending, tariffs and war.
— Rick Crosson, Democratic opponent, statement reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette
He touts the budget law's 'temporary tax relief' while ignoring the added cost at the gas pump and of groceries, health insurance and everyday essentials.
— Rick Crosson, Democratic opponent, Aug. 21 news release
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material naming Wied in 2026 could be found.
His campaign website was not read directly.
Whether he will debate Crosson had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Wisconsin held its partisan primary on August 11, 2026. Two candidates are on the ballot: Republican incumbent Tony Wied, unopposed in his primary, and Democrat Rick Crosson, who won the district's first contested Democratic primary in about two decades with about 35% over Mark Scheffler (33%) and Katrina deVille. Crosson and the Brown County Republican Party had challenged Scheffler's nomination papers; the Wisconsin Elections Commission kept him on the ballot. No independent or third-party candidate qualified. The 11-county northeast Wisconsin district includes Green Bay, Appleton and De Pere. Democrats have not won it since 2008; Wied won 57.3% in 2024. Candidates are listed Democrat first, following Wisconsin's rule of ordering parties by their share of the last governor's race; this order is assumed, not confirmed from a sample ballot.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Wisconsin ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Wisconsin Elections Commission.