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Wisconsin doctor who sued to protect abortion access joins congressional race

A doctor who performs abortions became the first Democratic candidate in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District on Thursday. Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician and gynecologist who performs abortions, has entered the race for the vacant seat left by Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher. Her entry comes two weeks before Gallagher's expected departure date, and there will be no special election. For now, she is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Two Republicans are currently running and a third is expected to make an announcement next week. Lyerley plans to make abortion a central issue in the race. Gallagher's early departure leaves Republicans with a 217-213 majority in the House, meaning they cannot afford to lose more than one vote on a party-line vote.

Wisconsin doctor who sued to protect abortion access joins congressional race

Published : 4 weeks ago by Brittany Schmidt, Associated Press in Politics

MADISON, Wis. (AP/WBAY) — A doctor who performs abortions became the first Democratic candidate in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District on Thursday, entering the race for the seat opened up by the surprise retirement of Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher.

Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician and gynecologist, launched her candidacy two weeks before Gallagher’s expected departure date. Because of the timing of his resignation, there will be no special election.

For now, Lyerly is unopposed in the Democratic primary to be decided on Aug. 13. Democrats fielded no candidate in the 2022 election.

Two Republicans, state Sen. Andre Jacque and former state Sen. Roger Roth, are running and a third is expected to get in the race next week. Republican consultant Alex Bruesewitz planned to make an announcement on Monday. Bruesewitz, 26, was born in Wisconsin but currently lives in Florida. He would have to move back to Wisconsin to run for the seat.

Lyerly made clear that she would make abortion a central issue in the race.

Lyerly was one of the plaintiffs in a Wisconsin lawsuit that succeeded in keeping abortions legal after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. She performed abortions across Wisconsin, but temporarily moved her practice to Minnesota after the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“As an OB/GYN, I have been attacked firsthand by MAGA extremists targeting a woman’s right to make her own health choices,” Lyerly said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that every woman in our state has access to reproductive care, including safe and legal abortions, essential services like maternity care, and mental health support.”

Wisconsin Right to Life’s executive director criticized Lyerly’s entry in the race, saying “Wisconsin needs elected officials who protect all life.”

Gallagher was elected four times to serve northeast Wisconsin. His early departure leaves Republicans with a 217-213 majority in the House, meaning they cannot afford to lose more than one vote on a party-line vote.

Gallagher found himself at odds with former President Donald Trump and his supporters. He also angered fellow Republicans last month by refusing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Jacque, Roth, and Bruesewitz are all Trump supporters and oppose abortion.

“I think she’s wrong on the issues that people here in Northeast Wisconsin care about the people I’ve talked to. They’ve had it with Bidenomics. They’ve had it with the 17.6% inflation. It’s hard for families to be able to put food on the table right now, because of these disastrous economic policies,” said Roger Roth, Former Republican Wisconsin State Senator.

Historically, the 8th district has leaned Republican. Representative Mike Gallagher even ran unopposed last term and won by large margins before that. A Democrat has not won the district since 2008, but Dr. Lyerly doesn’t find that concerning.

“Now with the new maps, every single seat for assembly and all the Senate seats, they’re on the ballot, and the congressional seat, which nobody ran in last time. All of these seats are on the ballot. People have a reason to come out and vote now,” said Lyerly.

Trump won the district by 16 percentage points in 2020, even though he lost the state by less than a point to President Joe Biden. Gallagher won reelection three times by no fewer than 25 points. The district includes the cities of Appleton, Green Bay, and Door County, and covers mostly rural areas north through Marinette.


Topics: Social Issues, Abortion

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