Former Navy Seal running as a Republican for Ron Kind’s seat in Congress
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Wisconsin’s partisan primary election is coming up in less than two weeks.
On Thursday we had the chance to get to know one of the candidates for the Third Congressional District seat.
Derrick Van Orden from Hager City, which is across the Mississippi River from Red Wing, is a former Navy Seal running as a Republican for Ron Kind’s seat in Congress.
He says some of the issues he’s focusing on are building better infrastructure to solve the flooding problem that has put some communities underwater.
In addition, he plans on putting funding toward mental health treatment for farmers, making sure those who live in the most rural areas have access to the resources they need.
He says his past experiences and his connections to the state are what make him a good candidate.
“Out of my primary opponent and the general opponent, I’m the only person that’s actually started and run their own business. I’m the only person that served our nation in the military. I’m the only person that actually lives on a farm. So when you’re talking about tested and proven leadership, that’s want I’m bringing to the table,” Van Orden said.
He faces Jessi Ebben in the Republican primary on August 11th.
The winner will move on to the general election against the winner of the democratic primary between Incumbent Representative Ron Kind and challenger Mark Neumann.
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