Tim Walz coming to Eau Claire next week to boost Crawford, attack Van Orden

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will visit Eau Claire next week to rally Democrats ahead of key elections this year and next.

Walz, the Democratic Party’s candidate for vice president last year, aims to rally support for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford while at the same time criticize Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden for ending in-person town halls.

Walz’ visit is part of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s statewide “People v. Musk” campaign, highlighting $10 million spent by outside groups backed by Musk attacking Crawford.

The Tuesday event is being held in Van Orden’s 3rd Congressional District days after he announced a series of virtual town hall meetings, claiming “a group of George Soros-funded agitators” are disrupting Republicans’ in-person events. Democrats have accused Van Orden of hiding from constituents amid a backlash to federal cuts and layoffs initiated by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

The head of Republicans’ congressional campaign arm told GOP lawmakers to stop holding in-person town halls after some, including U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, and U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Clyman, faced angry questions. 

In a statement, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler called the April 1 Supreme Court race “one of the first opportunities to fight back against Elon Musk’s attacks on our livelihoods and our democracy” by rejecting former GOP attorney general Schimel.

“Wisconsin Democrats are thrilled to welcome Gov. Tim Walz back to Eau Claire for our next People v. Musk town hall event to highlight Musk’s multi-million dollar influence in this race,” Wikler said. “While Republican politicians like Derrick Van Orden might be too chicken to face constituents, Democrats are showing up—and with the help of our neighbor Gov. Tim Walz, we’re fighting back.”

Van Orden’s district is one of around a dozen seats Democrats are focused on flipping as they try to regain control of the U.S. House in 2026.

Walz’s appearance comes just months after he was crisscrossing Wisconsin as Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ running mate.

Van Orden’s spokesperson and the state GOP didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Walz’s visit.