MADISON, Wis. — Since Derrick Van Orden’s support of the GOP’s Big Ugly Bill and his crusade against continuing ACA premium tax credits, which is causing tens of thousands of his constituents to pay more for health care, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has waged a relentless campaign holding him accountable for his votes and actions. This includes billboards, town halls, protests and other forms of paid media.
The pressure campaign worked: for the first time in his career, and in a desperate attempt to save his reelection campaign, Derrick Van Orden voted with Democrats to continue ACA tax credits. But it’s clear this was a face-saving move as Van Orden voted in December to end ACA funding and Wisconsinites are already seeing their premiums go up.
“The road to the US House majority runs through Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional district, and we are going to make sure every voter knows by November that Derrick Van Orden made their health care more expensive while pushing through tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman. “Our work is just beginning and Van Orden already has his tail between his legs. Maybe he forgot he still lists repealing the ACA as a goal on his campaign website, but we won’t let voters forget and they will fire him for it in November.”
See below for the work WisDems has done to hold Van Orden accountable for his health care record:
WEAU: Democrats in La Crosse rally for ACA benefits
On the last day of the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period for 2026, democrats stand outside of Representative Derrick Van Orden’s office to demand Van Orden votes to extend the ACA tax credits.
Officials say many people who sign up for ACA benefits are backing out because of a lack of subsidies.
“We’re here standing out in the cold because Derrick Van Orden left us out in the cold and said you can afford this massive increase to your health care subsidies,” says La Crosse County Democratic Party co-chair William Garcia.
WMTV: Wisconsin Democrats target Van Orden with billboard campaign ahead of 2026 election
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin erected a new billboard in La Crosse on Monday, and plans to raise another one in Eau Claire next week, campaigning against incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden more than a year ahead of the 2026 primary.
The billboard features a now-deleted post on X from Republican Van Orden. After President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, Van Orden replied, “YES!” to a post stating:
“17 million people just lost health care.
18 million kids just lost school meals.
3 million Americans just lost food assistance…”
WKBT: Local Democrats host town hall to address potential Medicaid, food assistance cuts under GOP bill
Local Democrats held a Town Hall Tuesday to hear concerns about President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
The event was aimed at discussing the impact the law will have on Medicaid and SNAP Benefits.
The event was hosted by WisDems Chair Devin Remiker and Democratic Party of La Crosse Chair William Garcia.
According to WisDems, the law reportedly threatens healthcare for 30,000 people, and food assistance for 30,000 households that rely on snap benefits in Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District.
WKBT: Protestors gather outside Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s office over Trump’s spending bill
La Crosse residents demonstrated outside Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s office Thursday, voicing opposition to President Trump’s spending bill and challenging the Republican representative’s claims about healthcare funding.
Demonstrators accused Van Orden of misleading constituents about the bill’s impact on BadgerCare, Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. Saying Van Orden’s assertion that the legislation would secure billions for BadgerCare was false and warned that proposed Medicare cuts would harm thousands of Wisconsin residents.
