MADISON, Wis. — Prior to JD Vance’s visit to Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District to campaign for Derrick Van Orden, WisDems held a virtual press call with US Senator Tammy Baldwin, manufacturing business owners Sachin Shivaram and Kyle LaFond, and WisDems Vice-Chair Sarah Godlewski. Each of the speakers shared the ways in which the GOP tariff taxes have had devastating impacts on Wisconsin businesses and workers, including Shivaram’s and LaFond’s businesses. While Wisconsinites suffer from rising prices, Derrick Van Orden has been a rubber stamp for the drastic economic policies of Trump and the GOP.
See coverage of the event below:
WEAU: Wisconsin Democrats comment on Vance’s visit to Plover
Wisconsin Democrats responded to Vice President J.D. Vance visiting Plover Thursday with a virtual press meeting, inviting local lawmakers and community members.
Those in attendance were Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sachin Shivaram, Owner of the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, Kyle LaFond, Owner Founder of American Provenance and Natural Contract Manufacturing and Sarah Godlewski, WisDems Vice-Chair.
Democrats commented on this summer’s Big Beautiful Bill. They say it took away healthcare from thousands of Wisconsinites.
WISCONSIN EXAMINER: JD Vance struggles to sell Van Orden and Trump to tariff-battered Wisconsin
Manufacturers are not happy, either.
“I can tell you from my experience running our company, from everyone I talk to in my networks — 95% of people in manufacturing — 99% do not support the tariffs,” said Sachin Shivaram, CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, a Wisconsin-based company with locations across the Midwest.
Shivaram spoke on a press call with Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin ahead of Vance’s speech Thursday. Many business owners, he said, are afraid to publicly share their criticisms of the Trump administration.
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Tariffs have caused “chaos and uncertainty” for businesses, agreed Kyle LaFond, owner and founder of American Provenance and Natural Contract Manufacturing, a small business that makes personal care products. “Last year, when these tariffs were first instituted, I absorbed those costs as much as possible. I did that for about eight months,” LaFond said. “But that is not a sustainable business practice.” Ultimately, he said, businesses have to pass along the cost to their customers: “Tariffs are just attacks on the American consumer.”
WPR: JD Vance stumps for Derrick Van Orden, Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin campaign event
Democrats issued statements linking Van Orden to Trump, with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin saying Van Orden’s votes had harmed his constituents.
“They deserve independent leadership and not a rubber stamp,” Baldwin said. “So we welcome the vice president to the state so they can see the damage this administration is causing.”
WISC: Vice President JD Vance visit Wisconsin
During the State of the Union address, President Trump doubled down on his economic tariffs and called for the overturning of the Affordable Care Act.
US Sen. Tammy Baldwin said these policies would decimate Wisconsin families and Congressman Van Orden is backing them.
“Wisconsinites are really struggling, and they deserve independent leadership, and not somebody who’s simply a rubber stamp.” “So I’m going to say, Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Vice President, and while you’re here, I really hope that you will listen to the people who feel like they’ve been left behind by your administration.”
WDIO: Vice President Vance discusses inflation, housing, and rural healthcare in Wisconsin
In response to the Vice President’s visit, Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a call where she shared her thoughts.
“I think it’s a good thing that Vice President Vance is coming to Wisconsin today so he can see exactly how this administration’s policies are affecting and in many cases harming Wisconsinites,” said Baldwin. “On Tuesday night, we heard from the president that he’s going to double down on his disastrous tariff policy. And here in Wisconsin, those policies have decimated families and farmers alike. For farmers, these tariffs have shrunk export markets and have squeezed already very, very thin margins. And farming is the lifeblood for many communities across our state.”
WLUK: In Wisconsin, Vance echoes State of the Union message, endorses Van Orden
“Wisconsinites are really struggling, and they deserve independent leadership — not somebody who’s simply a rubber stamp,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, said.
Baldwin criticized Van Orden when speaking to reporters ahead of Vance’s event.
“I’m going to say, ‘Welcome to Wisconsin, Mr. Vice President, and while you’re here, I really hope that you will listen to the people who feel like they’ve been left behind by your administration,'” she said.
WGBA: Vice President JD Vance discusses affordability & midterms in trip to Wisconsin
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) responded to Vance’s visit with the following:
“While you are here, I hope you will listen to the people that feel like they’ve been left behind by your administration,” Baldwin said. “They deserve more than applause lines at the State of the Union; they deserve real results.”
WMTV: Vice President Vance visits Wisconsin as national attention increases on 3rd Congressional District race
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, said the district deserves different representation.
“Look, Western Wisconsin deserves an independent voice in Congress,” Baldwin said. “Somebody who will stand up and fight for them.”
WDJT: JD Vance urges people to vote against ‘crazy’ Democrats in 2026 midterms during visit to Plover
On a virtual press call, Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized Van Orden and Vance, saying recent efforts from Republicans are hurting Wisconsin families.
“Western Wisconsin deserves an independent voice in the Congress, someone who will stand up and fight for them,” Baldwin said. “Those policies have decimated families and farmers alike.”