Wisconsin voters in the 6th Congressional District reaffirmed their support for Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, who defeated Democratic challenger Brad Smith in the November 2026 election. At 71, Grothman will begin his seventh term in January, adding to a career that includes more than two decades in the state legislature (1993‑2015).
Local victory in a reliably Republican district
The district, which gave Grothman a 23‑point margin in 2024, has not elected a Democrat since John Abner Race served from 1965‑67. No statewide or national candidate has carried the district since President Barack Obama edged it by just 0.05 percentage points in 2008.
Grothman credited his win to a hard‑working staff and a focused campaign. “We worked hard, and I had a great staff. And if you have a great staff and you work hard, you should be able to win,” he said. He noted that many of his Republican colleagues across the state and nation lost their races, tempering the celebration.
Policy priorities and upcoming legislative agenda
During his victory remarks, Grothman outlined his top priorities: cleaning up the welfare system, protecting family values, supporting employers who hire people with disabilities, and bolstering manufacturing in the district. He highlighted two bills he is currently shepherding – one aimed at expanding access to oral chemotherapy drugs and another honoring the Hmong community for its contributions to Wisconsin.
He also addressed concerns about federal spending. “We’re $40 trillion in debt, and I think sometimes President Trump is a little bit too eager to spend money, and we can’t let him get talked into all sorts of new spending programs,” Grothman warned, urging fiscal restraint even as he praised the President’s ability to get things done.
Democratic challenger’s perspective
Brad Smith, an IT consultant making his first run for office, praised his grassroots campaign. “We’ve run a strong campaign,” Smith said. “We’ve performed better than the numbers have historically, especially considering we are a grassroots campaign.” He also referenced a broader “blue wave” across the state and country, though the results in the 6th District ran counter to that narrative.
Implications for Wisconsin’s congressional delegation
Grothman joins four other Wisconsin Republicans in the U.S. House: Scott Fitzgerald (District 5), Michael Alfonso (District 7) and Tony Wied (District 8). The election saw two fellow Republicans, Bryan Steil (District 1) and Derrick Van Orden (District 3), lose to Democrats Mitchell Berman and Rebecca Cooke, respectively. Democrats Mark Pocan (District 2) and Gwen Moore (District 4) retained their seats.
With Democrats flipping many seats nationwide, Grothman acknowledged a tougher legislative environment ahead but expressed confidence that bipartisan cooperation on his highlighted bills is possible.
Looking ahead
As the new Congress convenes, Grothman’s focus on fiscal responsibility, family‑centered policies and support for local industry aligns with the values of his constituents. His remarks about President Trump’s need for humility reflect an ongoing dialogue within the Republican ranks about balancing bold action with prudent stewardship of the nation’s finances.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
