Key facts
- Mitchell Berman, an ER nurse, is running to flip a Wisconsin House seat.
- Berman emphasizes his working-class background and union membership.
- He is challenging incumbent Bryan Steil, a former aide to Paul Ryan.
- Berman criticizes Steil's support for policies that have increased living costs.
- The campaign highlights the decline of manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin and the impact of tariffs.
Democrats are targeting vulnerable seats in the midterm elections by fielding working-class candidates, including emergency room nurse Mitchell Berman, who is seeking to flip a Wisconsin House seat. Berman hopes his background will resonate with voters disillusioned by economic conditions and rising costs.
Berman is running in a swing district that was formerly represented by Paul Ryan and is now held by Republican incumbent Bryan Steil. Berman argues that Steil, a corporate attorney and former Ryan aide, is out of touch with constituents who are struggling with inflation attributed to White House policies. With over 20 years in healthcare, Berman emphasizes his empathy and understanding of legislative impacts from a working-class perspective.
He draws parallels to the effects of Act 10, a law that curtailed public sector union bargaining rights in Wisconsin, citing his union membership as crucial to understanding workers' fights for fair pay and benefits. Berman believes that union representation is essential for ensuring fair treatment of workers.
The campaign also addresses the decline of manufacturing in Wisconsin, exacerbated by offshoring and trade policies, which has led to job losses and increased costs for households. Berman criticizes Steil for defending tariffs, which he argues have harmed manufacturing jobs and increased expenses for voters, despite promises to lower costs. Steil's office did not respond to requests for comment.