Vice President JD Vance is stepping into the political spotlight in Wisconsin’s competitive congressional district as the White House ramps up efforts to safeguard the Republican majority in the House. On February 26, Vance will make his way to Plover, Wisconsin, a suburb of Stevens Point, in support of Republican Derrick Van Orden, who has represented the district since 2023. Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, broke a 26-year Democratic hold on the district, making it a key battleground.
Democrats are intensifying their campaign efforts here, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee funneling resources into Rebecca Cooke’s rematch against Van Orden. Despite Van Orden’s victory, he lagged behind Donald Trump’s 2024 performance in the district, which Trump won by seven points. Wisconsin played a pivotal role in Trump’s 2024 victory, contributing to his sweep of battleground states.
The President has already endorsed Van Orden, a staunch supporter of his agenda, for the 2026 race. Vance’s visit to a manufacturing facility in Plover aims to spotlight Trump’s economic policies, emphasizing rising wages and declining inflation as key achievements since the State of the Union address.
This trip marks one of Vance’s early domestic outings this year. In January, he visited Toledo, Ohio, and Minneapolis amid tensions over immigration enforcement. As the Republican Party’s national finance chair, Vance also held fundraising events in Florida recently.
Wisconsin’s third congressional district is crucial for maintaining the GOP’s slim majority, with Democrats needing just three seats to flip the House. Vance’s return to the area underscores its importance, following his August visit to promote Trump’s tax and spending initiatives. The district remains a toss-up, according to the Cook Political Report.
Van Orden, who attended Trump’s January 6 rally but distanced himself from the Capitol events, faced scrutiny in 2023 for an incident involving Senate pages. Vance’s Wisconsin visit is part of a broader White House strategy to keep Trump’s economic policies in the voter spotlight post-Congress address.
The President is also slated to visit Texas, focusing on energy and the economy, coinciding with early voting in the state’s Senate Republican primary. Trump’s itinerary includes a stop in Corpus Christi, with travel restrictions indicating his presence. Future presidential trips to Ohio and Tennessee are also on the agenda, as the administration continues its strategic outreach.