Republican Candidates Battle for 8th Congressional District in Debate

HOWARD — The Providence Academy gymnasium turned into a forum for heated debates Friday night between three Republican candidates vying to convince voters they best represent the interests of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.

The packed parking lot, filled chairs and children in tow reflected the intense interest in this primary, sparked by the resignation of former Rep. Mike Gallagher in April.

“If we don’t get a conservative in office, we’re in trouble,” said Kaye Forystek, an attendee who cited border security and immigration as key issues.

Senator Andre Jacque of De Pere, former Senator Roger Roth of Appleton and local gas station owner Tony Wied of De Pere are all hoping to win the Republican primary on August 13 to take on Democratic challenger Dr. Kristen Lyerly in November to represent the interests of voters in 11 northeastern Wisconsin counties.

“We’re choosing someone who’s going to be our employee,” said Joe Giganti, the debate moderator and host of the conservative radio talk show, “The Regular Joe Show” on WTAQ. “We want to make sure we send someone to Washington who’s not afraid.”

Candidates were given three minutes for opening statements, one minute to answer questions, time for rebuttals and two minutes for closing statements, strictly enforced by Giganti’s producer in a black “Make America Great Again” cap. The rules stipulated that microphones would be turned off for candidates who did not begin their answers to yes-or-no questions with a “Yes” or “No.”

These are the main conclusions from the debate:

Abortion was not a topic of debate, but the comment that it was ‘too pro-life’ stole the show

Giganti questioned candidates on everything from the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump to election integrity to medical freedom. The topic of abortion was absent, except in a tussle between Jacque and Wied that erupted into audience bitterness at the end of the debate.

When asked about how he defined conservatism, Jacque accused Wied of calling him “too pro-life” during a meeting with Ed Perkins, founder of RE-Press Corp and member of Appleton Concerned Taxpayers. Wied claimed he never made the statement.

Perkins, who was not present at the debate initially, came on at the end to clarify the issue. The room was divided between those who stood and felt no clarification was needed, and those who sat and waited for Perkins’ statement.

“Nobody needs this,” a woman shouted from the back.

“I need it,” a woman across the aisle replied.

Perkins confirmed that Wied made the comment to him in the context of Wied allegedly saying that Jacque “will never win, he’s too pro-life,” which was met with a “Whatever!” response from behind.

Trump’s presence was looming, but not central

Wied is supported by Trump and he contrasted that with his opponents in his opening statement, calling Jacque a “Never Trumper” and calling both Roth and Jacque career politicians who “are letting us down,” earning him loud applause.

Roth and Jacque made it clear during the debate that their positions on issues such as border security, the First and Second Amendments, and the economy aligned with Trump’s.

However, when Wied was asked a yes-or-no question about whether he agreed with Trump’s comments about the 2020 election results being “rigged” or “stolen,” his microphone was initially turned off because he couldn’t say “yes” or “no” directly.

When Jacque was asked the same question, he replied, “Can I answer, ‘Yes, I certainly can’?”

Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed that he won the 2020 election and that he won Wisconsin.

Moments of unanimity during yes-no questions

Because many questions required a simple “Yes” or “No” before they could be further elaborated, they provided candidates with a clear position on certain topics.

The candidates would all support mass deportations of illegal immigrants. They would all support abolishing the Department of Education. They would all agree that men should not participate in women’s sports.

“Wow, finally we all agree,” said Giganti.

Attendees may not have been influenced by the debate

The debate was “controversial,” “lively,” and “good,” in the words of those present. But while the debate focused on policy and personal beliefs, the emphasis was on the fight between Jacque and Wied at the end.

“Two came as fighters and the third faded into the background,” said Franklin Pride, an attendee who had education, immigration and electability as top-of-mind issues. “I don’t think people were sold on a candidate they didn’t come for.”

For the August primary and November general election, voters will vote twice on the same ballot for the 8th Congressional District: once for a candidate to fill Gallagher’s vacant seat until January 3, 2025 — which would have been the last day of Rep. Gallagher’s term — and again for a full term in the House of Representatives until 2027.

Jesse Lin is a reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. He can be reached at [email protected].