The race for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 8

DISTRICT 8 – Mark Scheffler, of Appleton, musician Katrina deVille, of Appleton, and Green Bay Army veteran Rick Crosson are running in the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary. Whoever wins will face Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, of De Pere, in the general election. The district favors Republicans. Wied is endorsed by President Donald Trump and was elected to the seat in 2024 by 14 percentage points.

Rick Crosson, 68, Democrat, Green Bay
Why should voters send you to congress?
I have spent my life solving hard problems and bringing people together to do it. Twenty years in the Army taught me how to lead under pressure, build coalitions at all levels, including nationally and internationally, and get results when the stakes are real. I carried that into running large operations in business. But the part I am proudest of is simpler: I make a point of knowing people, finding common ground, and listening before I talk. That is what is missing in Washington right now. I am not running to score points. I am running to represent every corner of this district, because I believe we get further working together.

What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?

The top issue is the cost of living. Families here are getting squeezed from every direction with high costs of groceries, gas and diesel, housing, health insurance, and a farm economy thrown into chaos by tariffs and bad policy. People are working hard and still falling behind. Here is what I would do. Push to lower everyday costs by going after the price-gouging and consolidation driving them up. Protect the farm economy from trade decisions made without rural Wisconsin in mind. Support funding for the health coverage families and rural hospitals depend on, while pushing for universal healthcare. And bring the same problem-solving I used in logistics: find where the system is broken, fix the choke point, and measure whether it actually helped people.

Katrina deVille, 50, Democrat, Appleton
Why should voters send you to congress?
I’m not part of the establishment or a coward. I don’t care about money, title, or credit. I can’t stand by and do nothing while this country continues to be destroyed, citizens disregarded, and our Constitution burns. I believe in America and will fight for all of us with my life, because tyrannical authoritarianism has come to destroy us. None of my opponents are going to bring this level of ferociousness to this moment; a ferocity which is desperately needed. I fight for America, her citizens, and our Constitution; so we may all have happier, healthier lives, and live free of tyranny and oppression. So help me God.

What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
I’d say the top issue is affordability, but healthcare is most likely a tie. Healthcare is definitely part of why people are genuinely struggling with affordability, so addressing that concern specifically will help fix some of the affordability crisis. I would address healthcare by working to finally get Americans Medicare for all. I’d also be pushing for $22 minimum wage, universal childcare, ending this illegal war with Israel and Iran, tossing out the One Big Beautiful Bill and rewriting the tax structure to tax the rich and give tax breaks to middle class Americans.

Mark Christopher Scheffler, 57, Democrat, Appleton
Why should voters send you to congress?
People ask me why I’m running for Congress. The answer is actually pretty simple: I believe in sustainability. Not just environmental sustainability, but preserving and strengthening the things we care about like our economy and our democracy while fixing and rebuilding the things that just aren’t working anymore. My old home is a good example. You don’t tear down something meaningful just because it needs work. You restore it. You strengthen the foundation. You modernize what needs modernizing. And you preserve what makes it worth loving in the first place. I believe America deserves that same kind of care.

What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
A sustainable society depends on trust. Trust in our institutions. Trust in each other. Trust that government exists to serve people — not special interests. Congress just isn’t working for the US anymore. Americans are exhausted by division, outrage, and corruption. I hear it across the spectrum. Our politics must change. We deserve better than politicians spending all day trying to get reelected or making soundbites instead of solving problems. That’s why I’m running as a Democrat but I’ll serve as an independent voice in Washington. Voters want representatives who are less partisan and not poisonous; they want folks who build bridges, not burn them down. I want to show America we can do better, we must do better, and that starts right here, right now.

Tony Wied, 50, Republican, De Pere
Why should voters send you to congress?

Since my first day in office, I have fought for the people of northeast Wisconsin and delivered results for our communities. This past year, I secured millions in federal funding for priorities including water treatment resources in Kaukauna and Suamico, improvements to Austin Straubel Airport, and a new Green Bay Metro Fire Department station. I have also worked to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Wisconsin families. I was proud to vote in favor of the Working Families Tax Cuts, which prevented the largest tax increase in American history and included provisions such as no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, the largest tax deductions for seniors in history, and an increased child tax credit.

What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
Affordability remains a major challenge for families throughout our district. Under the Biden Administration, families faced decade-high inflation (9.1%), sky-high mortgage rates (8%), and a loss of almost $3,000 in annual purchasing power. When I got to Washington, I, alongside my Republican colleagues, acted quickly to reverse this damage and bring down costs for Wisconsinites by working to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill and deliver the Working Families Tax Cuts. As a result of this work, inflation has dropped, mortgage rates have eased, and real wages are now outpacing inflation. However, the job is not done. We need to retain control of the House to extend our pro-family policies and continue this progress.

This report of the U.S. House of Representatives was produced by Wisconsin Watch.