EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The race for the Democratic place on the 2026 ballot against Congressman Derrick Van Orden has heated up. Emily Berge, president of the Eau Claire City Council, announced her candidacy. Berge said she offers a “big tent” into which Republicans are welcome. Van Orden, a Republican, emphasized loyalty to President Trump in 2024. Now with Trump’s popularity in free fall, his coattails are tattering. About her “big tent,” Berne said: “I welcome everyone, and it really doesn’t matter who you voted for in the past or where you’re from or how much you have in your bank account. Things aren’t going well at the national level. There’s a lot of chaos and uncertainty.”
Berge. Eau Claire business owner.