Madison — After receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump over the weekend, the former owner of a dinosaur-themed gas station chain in northeastern Wisconsin declared a congressional bid in a heavily Republican district on Monday.
Tony Wied, who owned six Dino Stop petrol stations and convenience stores, ran for the 8th Congressional District seat after Rep. Mike Gallagher unexpectedly resigned. Two Republicans and one Democrat have declared their candidacy.
Wied attended Trump's Green Bay rally last week. A paper titled “Tony Wied for Congress — WI08” with Wied's bio was photographed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Trump tweeted his support for Wied on Sunday, even though he had not yet entered the race. Wied declared his campaign Monday night in Green Bay, saying he was “humbled and honored” by the endorsement.
Trump tweeted, “After selling his highly successful Oil and Gas Business, Tony Wield has decided to run for Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District,” misspelling Wied’s name. “Look, I don’t need this job to make a living,” he assured supporters. “I'm doing this job to serve, to make a difference—to secure our border, to control our spending, and to give our next president Donald J. Trump an ally in Congress.”
Trump urged Republican Roger Roth, a former Appleton state legislator, to withdraw out. Roth supported Trump when he announced his latest congressional bid after declining to support him in 2022 when asked whether he would support him for president in 2024.
Tony is running against RINO Roger Roth, who is a ‘clone’ of Paul Ryan and no friend to MAGA — He should drop out of the Race NOW,” Trump wrote. Tony will fight hard as your next Congressman to unleash American energy, stop inflation, secure our border, support our military and vets, and protect our always-under-attack Second Amendment.
Roth reaffirmed his support for Trump on Monday, citing his Wisconsin Air National Guard service. “As the only veteran in this race, I know what it means to serve,” Roth added. “My wife and I looked at our country and knew we had to fight to preserve what makes America great for our children. I will win this contest and help Trump win Wisconsin in November.”
Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have endorsed Roth. Republican state Sen. Andre Jacque of De Pere is also running. Dr. Kristin Lyerly, from De Pere, is the sole Democratic candidate.
GOP consultant Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump supporter, considered running. Bruesewitz texted Monday saying he planned to run until he met Wied. “I strongly encouraged him to plan for a run,” Bruesewitz added. “I consider him a 10/10 candidate.” Bruesewitz agreed to advise Wied's campaign and was one of numerous speakers who supported him on Monday.
Republicans dominate Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District, but Democrats want to compete. Trump won the district by 16 points in 2020 despite losing the state to President Joe Biden by less than a point. Gallagher was reelected three times by 25 points. Appleton, Green Bay, Door County, and primarily rural areas north of Marinette are in the district.
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