KAUKAUNA — Former Packers Coach Mike Holmgren and his daughter, Dr. Calla Holmgren on Monday announced their endorsement of Dr. Kristin Lyerly for Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.
Lyerly, an obstetrics doctor specializing in pregnancy and childbirth, faces Trump-backed Republican Tony Wied in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election.
A 1987 graduate of Kaukauna High School, Lyerly, then Kristin Schmalz, 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.
With Holmgren as coach, the Packers never had a losing season, and he led the team to their 12th League Championship in Super Bowl XXXI, with a 35–21 win over the New England Patriots. Dr. Calla Holmgren is an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in high risk pregnancies.
“In Northeast Wisconsin, voters aren’t red or blue; they’re green and gold. I’m joining my daughter, Calla, in endorsing Dr. Kristin Lyerly for Congress because Kristin will be the independent, knowledgeable voice that 8th District voters are desperate for,” Coach Mike Holmgren said in a news release. “I’m the dad of four daughters, including Calla who cares for women facing difficult pregnancies, and I understand how important protecting reproductive freedom is. A proven leader in her field, Dr. Lyerly will continue to be a champion for women and families across the country when it comes to this, and all of the other issues associated with the freedom to make our own personal healthcare decisions including economic, social, and other conditions that affect our daily lives.”
“As an OB/GYN who focuses specifically on high-risk pregnancies, I’ve seen my fair share of hard cases. I have taken care of patients facing heartbreaking circumstances, and been the one to deliver news no parent wants to hear. As a fellow OB/GYN, Dr. Lyerly has been in the same position. Both of us understand one essential thing: none of these decisions should be made by politicians. They should be made by the people whose lives they change with the counsel of medical experts and other trusted advisors,” Dr. Calla Holmgren said.
“I’m running for Congress to ensure the people and families of Northeast Wisconsin have the freedom to make their own personal healthcare decisions, the resources to live a fulfilling life, and the opportunities to give back to their communities, qualities that I proudly share with both Coach and Dr. Holmgren,” Lyerly said.
The endorsements, which hold special significance in America’s most passionate football city, come on the heels of Dr. Lyerly’s campaign gaining momentum in the final weeks, including a feature in the New York Times and record-breaking fundraising numbers.
