Still, Kind said he understands why the administration keeps returning.
“It’s not surprising given how competitive that district is, and his feeling about the need to bring in some administration officials for some quick media hits,” Kind said. “Again, tough environment I think for him and Republicans in these competitive districts this year.”
But he questioned whether the visits address the concerns voters will ultimately weigh, like cuts to Medicaid in January that will “adversely impact” the district’s residents and be “devastating” for rural hospitals.
Republicans see the district differently. The White House’s travel emphasis reflects a belief that administration officials can help localize their national accomplishments like the “One Big, Beautiful bill,” no tax on tips and overtime, and the administration’s crack down on SNAP and Medicaid fraud, while demonstrating that the administration remains engaged in communities outside Washington.
“President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Cabinet secretaries are visiting congressional districts across the country to meet people where they are and highlight the administration’s long list of accomplishments for American families,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement, adding that Van Orden, Barrett and others are “working closely with the administration to bring deliverables home to their districts.”
The focus also mirrors the attention Democrats gave western Wisconsin during the presidential campaign. Harris targeted La Crosse and surrounding areas, viewing the region as essential to winning the state of Wisconsin, which she lost.
This year’s Wisconsin primaries are set for August and Democrats Rebecca Cooke and Emily Berge are vying to challenge Van Orden in November. The Cook Political Report rates the race a “toss up.”
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