LA CROSSE, Wis. -Former La Crosse County Board member Tara Johnson today announced she will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) for Wisconsin’s third congressional district in 2024.
Johnson told WisPolitics she was compelled to get into the race because the western Wisconsin seat is “represented by an extremist who does not reflect the values of this district.”
Johnson is the third Democrat to announce plans to run, joining Rebecca Cooke, an Eau Claire nonprofit owner, and Aaron Nytes, a student at Harvard University who says he plans to move to La Crosse in May.
Johnson served on the La Crosse County Board from 2000-2020, including a nine-years as chair starting in 2011. Johnson continued her public service after her time on the county board including serving on the board of directors for the La Crosse Community Foundation and the board of the La Crosse County Dems.
Johnson wasted no time criticizing the person she is seeking to unseat.
“Under the extreme Republican House majority, Derrick Van Orden has played dangerous political games with our lives,” said Johnson. “He’s continually used critical services many need to survive as bargaining chips, calling to cut Social Security, Medicare, and more. Wisconsinites deserve a competent leader who will work to make their lives easier, and 2024 is our best chance to take back this seat.”
Johnson also pointed to her background and skills that she says make her qualified to fill the seat.
“My whole life I have been working in my community to make it better,” said Johnson. “Solving problems and getting stuff done. I feel like I need to put that experience in service to the district.”
Johnson said health care and reproductive rights will be key issues in her campaign, saying it is “unconscionable” that her 24-year-old daughter has fewer rights than she did at that age.
Johnson also announced she has landed the endorsement of former Army and CIA officer Deb McGrath, who ran for the 3rd CD in 2022 and was rumored to be considering another run for the seat. McGrath finished third in the Democratic primary a year ago behind State Senator Brad Pfaff and Cooke.
State Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, told WisPolitics she’s been meeting with people across the 3rd CD as she considers a bid, but doesn’t have a timeline for a final decision.
“I’m focused on serving my community, and people are encouraging me to run because I’ve run and won,” said Shankland, who first won a seat in the Assembly in 2012.
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