Gallagher, Nelson vie for open Congressional seat

Each week, The Daily Cardinal will be taking a look at down-ballot races throughout the state. This week we head to Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District to break down the race between Mike Gallagher and Tom Nelson.

With the retirement of U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble, two candidates are vying to represent Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Green Bay and the Fox Cities. Republican Mike Gallagher and Democrat Tom Nelson see different pictures of Wisconsin and both hope to make them reality, starting by winning in November.

Capitalizing on energy from the national presidential? race, Gallagher—a Marine Corps veteran and Green Bay businessman—embraces the title of “political outsider.” With military and business experience, the GOP candidate emphasizes limited government, constitutional support and defense, and dubs himself the “price-sector problem solver.”

On the opposing side, Nelson, the Outagamie County executive, structures his campaign around bipartisan work, social issues and job creation. With the message of “people over politics,” the Appleton local hopes to build on his experience of budget-balancing, health-care protection and job creation by taking his message to Washington, D.C.

Both candidates attended Princeton University but the candidates’ paths diverged as Nelson began his career in public service and Gallagher served in the military and furthered his education.

The two agree on the need for reform in the nation’s capitol. In discussing trade and social security, their fundamental differences shine through.

Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal connecting the economies of 12 Pacific Rim countries, Nelson believes the only option is to "to throw this out and start over completely.”

"Anyone who has spent just a few months in northeast Wisconsin should know and should recognize the damage that these bad deals have wreaked on communities like Kimberly, like Peshtigo, like Niagara and all over Wisconsin,” Nelson told reporters in August.

This contrasts with Gallagher’s position on trade. He called the debate over the TPP a “[distraction] from the broader debate about competitiveness of our economy, and that's what this is about."

Although both candidates said they would vote against the TPP, Nelson accused Gallagher of flip-flopping, referencing a radio interview from February in which Gallagher called himself a “free trader” who likes expanding free trade agreements, but only “when done right,” according to the Post-Crescent.

Ribble has endorsed fellow Republican Gallagher in the race. In August, Gallhager had a 16-point lead over Nelson, according to a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, a conservative polling firm.