Vice President JD Vance is set to visit a manufacturing facility in Plover, Wisconsin, on February 26. His visit comes shortly after President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech, which highlighted the administration’s achievements over the past year. Vance’s remarks are likely to celebrate these accomplishments and underscore the administration’s favorable impacts on American workers.
Plover is situated in Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District, currently represented by Republican Derrick Van Orden. Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, made headlines last year as the first Republican to win this district in 26 years. However, the district has become a focal point for national Democratic efforts, particularly in light of the closely contested 2024 election, where Van Orden secured his seat by a narrow margin of less than three points against Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke.
As the election approaches, the Democratic Party has pledged more resources toward winning two congressional seats in Wisconsin, including the vital Third District. Recent campaign financing reports indicate that Cooke has garnered significantly more financial support than her current opponent, Emily Berge. The deadline for candidates to file their declarations and nomination papers is set for June 1.
In terms of Vance’s message during his Plover visit, a spokesperson indicated that he will tout the administration’s successes, claiming improvements in wages, reductions in inflation, and enhanced conditions for American workers compared to those seen under former President Joe Biden.
This trip marks one of Vance’s initial domestic engagements for the year, with prior visits in January to locations such as Toledo, Ohio, and Minneapolis amidst ongoing immigration enforcement discussions. Furthermore, his role as the national finance chair for the Republican Party was highlighted by recent fundraising events held in Florida.
Weather conditions for the Plover event are anticipated to be manageable, with forecasts indicating possible flurries in the morning but temperatures expected to rise above freezing.
Erik Pfantz, a local government and education reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, can be reached for further insights.