Live election results: Steil defeats Barca in race for Wisconsin's 1st District
MILWAUKEE - Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin) defeated Democrat challenger Peter Barca on Tuesday in the race for Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
Who is Bryan Steil?
Steil is a Janesville native who attended Craig High School before earning degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Wisconsin.
In 2018, Steil was first elected to serve Wisconsin's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives – defeating Democrat Randy Bryce and Independent Ken Yorgan. Republican Paul Ryan, who eventually became the country's youngest House Speaker since 1869, had held the seat since 1999. Steil went on to win a second and third term, which he is currently serving, in 2020 and 2022.
Bryan Steil
Before he was elected to Congress, Steil worked in the manufacturing sector for more than a decade in southeast Wisconsin. Then-Gov. Scott Walker appointed him to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents in 2016.
The Steil campaign lists lower prices, community safety and workforce development as key issues for the Republican incumbent. You can find details about Steil's stance on those issues and others on his campaign website.
Who is Peter Barca?
Barca grew up in Somers. He graduated from Bradford High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before working as a teacher and director at a camp for children with disabilities before embarking on a lengthy career in government.
In 1984, Barca was first elected to represent the Kenosha and Racine areas in the Wisconsin Assembly. He served in the state Legislature for nearly a decade, but resigned in 1993 upon his election to the same U.S. House of Representatives seat he is now running for again. Republican Mark Neumann beat Barca and took the seat in 1995, and the GOP (Ryan 1999-2019, Steil 2019-present) have held it since.
Peter Barca
Barca returned to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2008 and served until 2019. He was also Midwest Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration – and later became Wisconsin's secretary of revenue – after his time in Congress.
The Barca campaign lists bringing down costs, workers' rights and reproductive freedom as key issues for the Democrat challenger. You can find details about Barca's stance on those issues and others on his campaign website.
Reaction and statements
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin)
"Thank you to the voters of Wisconsin’s First Congressional District for your support and trust in me. Together, we can strengthen our country, lower costs and have a nation that works for everyone. I’ll continue working for you."
National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesman Mike Marinella
"Congratulations to Congressman Bryan Steil on his re-election victory. Rep. Steil is a strong and pragmatic leader for Southeast Wisconsin, and voters are excited to send him back to continue fighting to secure the border, lower the cost of living and ensure Wisconsin values are heard in Congress."
Americans for Prosperity Action Senior Advisor Megan Novak
"AFP Action is excited to congratulate Rep. Bryan Steil on his successful reelection campaign. Our grassroots army was proud to endorse a principled leader like Rep. Steil who puts Wisconsinites’ best interests ahead of Washington politics. We look forward to supporting him as he continues to work hard to get our economy and our country back on a path to prosperity."