WC Wisconsin News

Democrat Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse recently announced that he will not pursue re-election in 2022.

He told reporters that his time had come and "the truth is I've run out of gas."

Kind was Wisconsin’s longest serving representative in Washington, serving in Wisconsin’s Third District since 1997.

Kind was the only Democrat congressman outside of the Madison and Milwaukee metro areas, with former President Donald Trump winning his district in 2016.

“For more than two decades western Wisconsin has been able to count on Ron Kind. Thanks to his tremendous leadership, countless small businesses, farmers and families have a brighter future ahead of them. While his voice in Congress is going to be sorely missed, his legacy as a pragmatic and selfless leader will continue to move Wisconsin forward,” Gov. Tony Evers said.

Republicans have strategically been trying to obtain his seat in recent years to no avail, however, Republicans in the state believed that had he stayed in the race, his days would be numbered.

“Ron Kind’s days in Congress were numbered thanks to the tireless efforts of Derrick Van Orden. Republicans are well-positioned to win this congressional seat for the first time in a quarter-century,” said Wisconsin GOP Chairman Andrew Hitt.

Van Orden, a retired U.S. Navy Seal, said upon the news of Kind’s retirement, “I would like to thank Rep. Kind for serving in Washington for the last 24 years, and I wish him the best in his retirement. Our campaign has shown that the people of the third are ready for a proven, tested leader in Washington who will stand up to Nancy Pelosi’s radical agenda and ensure that our children and grandchildren will live in a safe and prosperous nation.”

Trump has backed Van Orden saying he, “will always fight for secure borders, the Second Amendment and our incredible farmers. Derrick has my complete and total endorsement!”