BLACK RIVER, Wis. — Today, Rodney Rave, a lifelong western Wisconsin resident, union operating engineer, and former Ho-Chunk Nation legislator, announced his campaign for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd District. Rave is running to lower costs for working families, expand healthcare access, and bring common-sense, results-oriented leadership back to Washington. Rave will kick off his campaign with a community launch event today in western Wisconsin.
“I’m not a career politician, I’m a builder,” said Rodney Rave, a proud member of the Ho-Chunk Nation’s Bear Clan. “I grew up in an old shack with a dirt floor and spent 31 years in highway construction. I’ve seen what families, veterans, and farmers are up against. The rules feel rigged and the costs keep climbing. I’m running to fix what’s broken so government finally works for the people again.”
Rave’s candidacy centers on affordability with accountability, fair treatment for rural and Tribal communities, and a focus on practical solutions over partisan theater. As a former Ho-Chunk Nation legislator, he worked to expand access to addiction treatment and strengthen Tribal-state partnerships. As a union member and heavy-highway worker, he helped build the roads and bridges that keep western Wisconsin connected.
Rodney’s Day-One Priorities
- Lower Costs You Can Feel: Crack down on price-fixing and junk fees, fight for fair competition that actually lowers grocery, utility, and prescription costs, and raise the minimum wage.
- Build Wisconsin, Build the Middle Class: Cut red tape to accelerate housing, roads, and broadband, creating good union jobs across western and northern counties.
- Healthcare & Recovery: Protect Medicare and Social Security, expand access to affordable care, including mental health and addiction recovery, so families can get help close to home.
- Respect for Veterans & Farmers: Protect family farms and deliver the benefits and services our veterans have earned.
- Government That Works: End the gridlock, ban congressional stock trading, and put people ahead of special interests.
“Western Wisconsin deserves a representative who knows what it means to punch a clock, raise a family, and serve the community,” Rave added. “We’re going to build a coalition that brings people together, rural and small-town neighbors, union families, Tribal communities, independents and Democrats alike, to deliver real results.”
About Rodney Rave
Rodney Rave was raised in Black River, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation (Bear Clan), a union operating engineer with 31 years in heavy-highway construction, a husband of 44 years, a father of four, and a grandfather of 15. He previously served as a Ho-Chunk Nation legislator, where he worked to reform access to addiction treatment and strengthen Tribal relations. Rodney is a Christian and traditional Ho-Chunk spiritual practitioner who lives by a simple principle: look out for everyone, love for all, and help others without asking for payment.
