WISCONSIN — Democrat Randy Bryce launched his campaign for Congress in Wisconsin’s 1st District on Tuesday in a Facebook post.
“I’ve got some big news: I’m back in the ring and officially running for Congress in Wisconsin’s 1st District,” Bryce said in the post.
Bryce will attempt to unseat Wisconsin Republican Rep. Bryan Steil. He’s the first Democrat to announce a challenge for the 2026 election.
Known as the “Iron Stache,” the former ironworker hasn’t run a campaign since 2018, when he first attempted to unseat Steil. He lost that race by 39,984 votes.
In a post on Facebook, he said he was motivated to come back amid the current political climate.
“I’m back because RIGHT NOW Donald Trump and MAGA enablers like Bryan Steil are hard at work attacking our Social Security, our healthcare, and our entire way of life: Wisconsin deserves better,” Bryan said in the announcement post.
Steil's campaign reacted to the challenge.
“Randy Bryce's radical open-border and anti-law enforcement policies have been rejected by Wisconsin families multiple times because they would endanger our communities," said Steil's campaign in a statement. "While radicals like Bryce continue to try and take our nation backwards, Congressman Bryan Steil has a record of delivering real results. Steil remains focused on securing our border, lowering costs for Wisconsin families, and supporting Wisconsin seniors."
Challenges are also mounting in other Wisconsin districts. The number of Democrats seeking to unseat Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden in District 3 is growing. Three Democrats have already entered that race, including Rebecca Cooke, Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge and Laura Benjamin.
