Crawford Republicans hold HQ grand opening
Representative Derrick Van Orden speaks to constituents during the Crawford County Republican Headquarters grand opening on August 3. The representative spoke at length about the upcoming elections. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
Crawford County Republicans gathered at the party’s new headquarters in Prairie du Chien on August 3 for the location’s grand opening.
Along with the county’s party chair, Dave Upenna, and former chair, Dave Wesener, Dan Kapanke, former Wisconsin state senator, and representatives from Eric Hovde’s campaign were in attendance.
Of course, the main draw was Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who is waiting for the upcoming Democratic primary that will determine who challenges him for his seat in the U.S. House of Representative in the general election cycle in November.
“This has been the most extraordinary last three months in the history of politics probably ever,” he said. “I wish politics wasn’t the reality television show it is now.”
Rather than talk about the primary candidates he may face in the general elections, he focused on concerns about the economy.
Van Orden said people are having difficulty “filling up their gas tanks and grocery carts,” and that “the American Dream has been snatched from young people because they can’t afford to buy a house now.”
He also said that people, including politicians and voters, needed to look in the mirror when the bemoaned the current state of the country and that he got into politics because he was unhappy with “the way the country is going.”
The message from politicians and party representatives was that Republicans needed to go back to the fundamentals: writing letters, post cards, making phone calls and knocking on doors. The Republicans want and need boots on the ground in Crawford County.
“If you don’t want the government in your business, you better get in the business of government,” said Van Orden. “When Republicans work, we win.”
Wisconsin, which is considered one of a handful of critical battleground states in 2024, was decided by approximately 20,000 of votes in 2020.
“People say, “Oh, I’m just one vote.’ Yeah, and one plus one equals two and on and on,” said Van Orden.
On the referendum questions posed on the August 13 ballot, Kapanke said, “Basically, the legislature, the house and the senate, is not going to cede their authority to appropriate money.”
Kapanke contended that the state legislature would better represent the entire state’s interests, rather than the governor.
Van Orden echoed Kapanke’s statement when he described, somewhat facetiously, how the process works currently. “Washington D.C. sends money to Madison, and Madison sends money to Madison and Milwaukee.”
Van Orden encouraged people to vote ‘yes’ on both referendum questions, which would limit the governor’s power over the dissemination of federal finances granted to the state of Wisconsin.
After the grand opening speeches, Van Orden answered questions from constituents. He touched on the Democrat party’s stances on women’s rights, open borders and the military pull out from Afghanistan. He said the solutions to the country’s problems are at the ballot box.
Wesener ended the night by saying, “We just have to keep the momentum going; it’s less than 100 days now.”
Van Orden will face either Katrina Shankland, Rebecca Cooke or Eric Wilson in the general election. The primary to determine who will become the third district of Wisocnsin representatives will take place on August 13.
Eric Hovde is the Republican representative challenging long-time U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for her seat.
State Assemblyman Travis Tranel, who is new to Crawford County due to the redistricting earlier in the year, is attempting to fend off Scott Walker (not the former governor).
The party’s headquarters is located at 109 E. Blackhawk Ave. Prairie du Chien, WI 53821. They can be contacted through the Wisgop.gov website or their Facebook page.
