KAUKAUNA — Democrats are hoping split-ticket voters will flip Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District from Republican control in the leadup to the Nov. 5 general election.
Democrat Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrics doctor specializing in pregnancy and childbirth, will face Trump-backed Tony Wied, who won Tuesday’s primary against two more well-known Republican challengers.
Lyerly, a 1987 graduate of Kaukauna High School, obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1993, an M.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 2007, and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Wisconsin in 2009.
Wisconsin, a state with a record of split ticket voting, re-elected a Democratic Governor and a Republican Senator in 2022. The state also has newly redrawn state legislature maps, which will likely boost turnout in the November election.
The 8th District, unlike many GOP-held congressional seats, was won by President Barack Obama in 2008 and Justice Janet Protasiewicz came within the margin of error just last year in 2023.
“In Washington, I’ll work to deliver on the issues that are on the top of voters’ minds— inflation, the border crisis, and reproductive rights and I certainly won’t be a cheerleader for the partisan food fight,” Dr. Kristin Lyerly said.
In a statement following the primary, Wied said he was overwhelmed by the support shown to his campaign by the people of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.
“I look forward to delivering the change we need in Washington to lower everyday costs, secure the southern border and reign in reckless government spending,” he said.
