Election results show affordability is top of mind for Wisconsinites casting ballots
MADISON, Wis. — Today, Wisconsinites made their voices heard after years of rising costs due to tariffs, the Iran war, and cuts to essential programs like SNAP and BadgerCare to give handouts to billionaires. Opportunity Wisconsin has been on the forefront of holding Representative Derrick Van Orden accountable and making clear the consequences his votes in Washington have had on his constituents in western Wisconsin.
Opportunity Wisconsin launched paid advertising campaigns in WI-03 in early 2026 highlighting the impact of tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and the expiration of ACA tax credits on western Wisconsin. Ultimately, these efforts contributed to Rep. Van Orden reversing course and voting to extend the ACA tax credits in January. Opportunity Wisconsin also held Rep. Van Orden accountable for his unwillingness to listen to his constituents including the Where’s Derrick Van Orden? campaign, which included empty chair town halls, letters to the editor, billboards, and print and digital ads.
Opportunity Wisconsin also worked across the state to highlight the affordability crisis caused by Republicans in Congress. This work included donation drives to help families make ends meet, roundtables with small business owners showing how tariffs were impacting their bottom line, and gas card giveaways to shine a light on skyrocketing fuel prices due to the war in Iran.
“The fight for working families must continue,” said David Trueman of La Crosse. “I see every day how rising costs are impacting my community. More than ever, we need to advocate for our neighbors and demand our elected officials in Washington work to lower prices and reverse cuts to essential programs like Medicaid.”
