AI-slop enthusiast and serial screamer-at-teenagers Derrick Van Orden’s record has finally caught up with him. WI-03 was supposed to be Republicans’ to keep, but American Bridge 21st Century spent the cycle putting Van Orden’s record in front of Wisconsin voters, and they decided they’d seen enough.

We watched him post AI-generated videos and go on unhinged ramblings, and we made sure everyone else saw them too. And while costs in Wisconsin soared, Van Orden claimed Wisconsin families could just go without guacamole. And when Wisconsinites’ healthcare was cut, Van Orden lied to their faces and told them he didn’t do it. We were there to tell every voter the truth. Our research and tracking showed Wisconsinites the real Van Orden, and our over $150,000 investment in billboards across the district made the choice clear. 

“Derrick Van Orden spent two years cursing at kids, posting racist garbage, and faking videos of his opponent because he couldn’t defend his own record. Western Wisconsin farmers paid for his tariffs, and tonight he paid for them too,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Monica Venzke. “We never let voters forget who Derrick Van Orden really is. He’s an embarrassment, and now he’s unemployed.”

Here are some of the stories that led to his defeat:

Spectrum News: Cooke sends Van Orden a cease-and-desist letter over AI videos
Associated Press: In rural Wisconsin, frustrations over Trump ag policies heat up House race
PBS Wisconsin: Senators rebuke Wisconsin congressman who yelled vulgarities at high school-age pages
Milwaukee Black Media: Van Orden’s social media history shows pattern of anti-Muslim, racist comments

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American Bridge 21st Century, the largest research, tracking, and rapid response operation in the Democratic Party, is focused on holding Republicans accountable and helping deliver Democratic victories. AB21 not only brings to light what Republicans are saying behind closed doors, but also runs large-scale paid media programs that center storytellers and utilize a data-driven approach to achieve the greatest impact.

This cycle, AB21 is prepared to ensure that none of the ideologues and policies of Trump’s administration or the Republicans running for office across the country can escape scrutiny. AB21’s open-sourced projects like Research Books and MAGA Files seek to leverage opposition research into winning in 2026 and beyond.

Learn more about our work at AmericanBridge.org.