Former State Rep. Nelson First Democrat In 8th Congressional District Race

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson is running for Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th congressional district.

“If Washington wasn’t broken, I think if Congress had an approval rating north of 7 percent, maybe they wouldn’t need my contributions,” Nelson said Thursday, announcing his bid.

Nelson is a former state Assembly majority leader who was noted for camping out at his Capitol desk in 2007 during a budget impasse.

On Thursday, he told a group of reporters in his living room that he is prepared for similar gridlocks in the nation’s capital: “I think that’s exactly the reason why we need people to step up, step forward and run for these offices. Not because they’re easy but because they’re difficult.”

Nelson has served as Outagamie county executive for the last five years. He said it’s that nonpartisan office that qualifies him to represent the district which has swung between both Republican and Democratic control.

He’s the first Democrat to declare a bid for the seat that incumbent Republican Rep. Reid Ribble is vacating.

“Whoever becomes the next member of Congress next January, this congressional district will have had four members of Congress in just over 10 years,” Nelson said. “I don’t think there’s any other district that can say that. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, this is an independent district more than it is Democratic or Republican.”

Republicans Mike Gallagher and state Sen. Frank Lasee, along with independent Wendy Gribben, are also vying to fill the seat.

Nelson said he intends to work as county executive as he campaigns this year.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story featuring Associated Press content has been updated with original reporting.