This publication has been following the races of two Republican nominees for the U.S. House, Derrick Van Orden in the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District and Nancy Mace in the South Carolina 1st Congressional District. We think these two seats, if snatched from Democrat incumbents, will be a telling indicator of GOP fortunes in the House. Today, we catch up with the Van Orden effort.
On 9/23 President Trump hosted a telerally with Van Orden. The congressional candidate welcomed the president, “Mr. President, I want to thank you for taking the time out of your day to do this. You are the leader of the free world and this is incredibly important that you are taking the time to do this and we appreciate it greatly. I have to tell you, I live in a small town called Trenton and every time I meet my neighbors they want to make sure that I tell you this: we are praying fervently for you, for your strength, your wisdom and your courage. And that’s for you and the first family. Thank you very much sir, and I’m going to repeat something that Sean Duffy told you in 2016: Wisconsin has your back.”
The president responded, “I need every patriot in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District to get out and vote for Derrick Van Orden for Congress. He’s an incredible guy. So many people have told me so much about Derrick that I didn’t even know. He’s a proud combat veteran who spent two decades fighting for our country as a Navy SEAL. A very brave, brave guy. Through eight deployments, Derrick led hundreds of men and women, both in combat and peacetime, and saved countless lives through his decisive actions. He’s known as a real hero. He’s a patriot who loves America and loves your state.”
Van Orden also recently joined Vice President Pence in Eau Claire in celebrating Wisconsin manufacturers. The two biggest Republican stars in the nation in Wisconsin to support Van Orden. No wonder Ron Kind, his Democrat incumbent opponent, is running scared.
In further good news for the campaign, the Cook Political Report a veteran race handicapper, released updated ratings on Wisconsin’s 3rd District.
In it, the report notes the race for the seat has moved away from Ron Kind and in Van Orden’s direction. This shift is further evidence of the enthusiasm behind Van Orden as the race nears Election Day.
Earlier that week, the Van Orden campaign launched the first TV ad of the general election, “Tradesman,” (see below in tweet) highlighting the candidate’s background as a Navy SEAL and lifelong tradesman. The ad contrasts his 26 years of Navy service with Kind’s more than two decades of influence peddling. DC is taking notice.
As such, Senator Tom Cotton, R-AR, an enthusiastic supporter of Van Orden, released the following statement with his endorsement: “Derrick Van Orden is the only choice for Wisconsin’s 3rd District. He will be a strong ally for President Trump and conservatives in Congress, standing up for our law enforcement, for strong borders, and working to give American farmers a level playing field. I encourage everyone looking for a strong leader in Wisconsin’s 3rd District to support Derrick Van Orden on November 3rd.”
Let's elect Derrick Van Orden to Congress. He's what Wisconsin and our country need. https://t.co/ijkq13oEkp [1]
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) September 28, 2020 [2]
Van Orden [3] is on a roll and is gaining increasing momentum as November draws closer. In this race he is the hunter, not the hunted, and his aim is true. The president knows it, the veep knows it, and Tom Cotton knows it. Soon, Ron Kind will know it as well.
This piece was written by David Kamioner on October 2, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette [4] and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Chris Wallace Speaks Out About Debate – ‘I’m Disappointed’ [5]
Ted Cruz Causes Joy Behar To Lose It After He Brings Up Cuomo Nursing Home Scandal [6]
Worst Debate In Presidential History [7]