Mike Gallagher Clenches 8th Congressional District Seat

Republican Mike Gallagher won Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District seat in Tuesday’s election.

Gallagher beat Democrat Tom Nelson, the Outagamie County executive.

Incumbent Republican Reid Ribble announced earlier this year he wouldn’t seek a third term representing the northeastern Wisconsin district. He’s held the seat for six years and endorsed Gallagher.

The 8th Congressional District seat was the only Congressional race in Wisconsin where an incumbent did not run.

The Associated Press called the race at 9:45 p.m.

According to returns tabulated by the AP, Gallagher was leading Nelson by about 65 percentage points with a little less than a quarter of the expected vote counted in the 8th Congressional District. The district includes a large chunk of northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Appleton and Marinette. The district has swung between Republican and Democratic control during the last two decades.

Gallagher, 32 and a Green Bay native, is a U.S. Marine captain who served two combat missions in Iraq and was an aide to Gov. Scott Walker during Walker’s failed 2016 presidential bid.

During his acceptance speech Tuesday night in Green Bay, Gallagher thanked family, volunteers and his opponent.

“He fought hard and though,” Gallagher said. “We had our differences over the last few months. I do not question his patriotism, his love for his family. He’s a man of deep faith; and for that I admire him. I look forward to working with him and his supporters in the coming months to figure out how we can come together as a country and solve some problems.”

Nelson, 40, served in the state Assembly from 2005 to 2011 and was looking to take the congressional seat out of the Republicans’ hands this election.

Nelson said money was a factor in the race. An estimated $5 million was spent on the race by candidates and outside interests.

“And while millions in outside money poured into this race, I am proud that 46,397 people donated to our campaign making an average donation of just $30 dollars,” Nelson told supporters Tuesday.

Nelson will remain the Outagamie county executive.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional reporting from WPR.