GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Republican Tony Wied, the Trump-backed Republican Candidate for the 8th Congressional District, won his party’s primary on Tuesday and will face Democrat Kristen Lyerly in November, who ran unopposed.
Wied says that Trump endorsement played a role in his victory.
“Having the endorsement of President Trump is the honor of a lifetime,” said Wied. “We need President Trump in office here in November. Just look, are we better off than we are four years ago? The answer is a resounding no.”
As for his primary opponents, Andre Jacque and Roger Roth, Wied says now is the time to unify the party.
“I did hear from my opponents,” said Wied. “I want to thank them for a spirited debate. We did a good job in this process and the voters made the decision and I’m thankful for their call.”
Wied won with 41% of the vote, to Roth’s 34% and Jacque’s 25%.
Wied’s attention now turns to his general election opponent.
“I’m looking forward to having a spirited debate with my opponent in the general election,” said Wied. “The people are very excited about change right now. They need change. We continue to see the dysfunction with the economy and with the rising prices and instability around the world. We need change right now and that’s what people want. Good, conservative values.”
After thanking family and friends, Wield told the crowd he had to wrap things up as he was expecting a phone call from former President Trump.
The race appeared twice on Tuesday’s ballots. Votersfirst elected the candidate they wanted to serve the remainder of former Rep. Mike Gallagher’s term, through Jan. 3, then elect a candidate to serve the regular two-year 2025-27 term. Wied also won that race.
The 8th District represents roughly 730,000 people, or roughly 12% of Wisconsin’s total population. It covers a large portion of Northeast Wisconsin.
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