Current:Home > BackFormer gas station chain owner gets Trump endorsement in Wisconsin congressional race-InfoLens
Former gas station chain owner gets Trump endorsement in Wisconsin congressional race
View Date:2024-12-23 19:13:17
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The former owner of a northeastern Wisconsin dinosaur-themed gas station chain was expected to announce a run for Congress in a heavily Republican district on Monday after receiving the endorsement of Donald Trump over the weekend.
Tony Wied, who owned six Dino Stop gas stations and convenience stores, was expected to join the race for the open 8th Congressional District seat caused by the surprise early retirement of Rep. Mike Gallagher. Two other Republicans and one Democrat have already announced their candidacies.
The primary is Aug. 13.
Wied attended Trump’s rally in Green Bay last week. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel obtained a photograph of a document titled “Tony Wied for Congress — WI08” that included biographical information about Wied.
Trump on Sunday posted his endorsement of Wied on social media, even though he has yet to officially enter the race. Wied is expected to do that at an event Monday night in Green Bay.
“After selling his highly successful Oil and Gas Business, Tony Wield has decided to run for Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, misspelling Wied’s last name.
Wied sold his Dino Stop chain to a Denver-based company in 2022.
Trump called on Republican Roger Roth, a former state senator from Appleton, to drop out of the race. Roth endorsed Trump when he announced his latest run for Congress, after he declined to get behind him in 2022 when asked if he would back a Trump run 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. “As your next Congressman, Tony will work hard to Unleash American Energy, Stop Inflation, Secure our Border, Support our Military / Vets, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Roth, in a statement Monday, highlighted his service with the Wisconsin Air National Guard and recommitted to Trump.
“As the only veteran in this race, I know what it means to serve,” Roth said. “My wife and I Iook at our country, and for the sake of our children, know we have to fight to preserve and protect what makes America great. I will win this race and help win Wisconsin for Donald Trump this November.”
Roth has been racking up his own endorsements from conservatives, including former Republican Gov. Scott Walker and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
State Sen. Andre Jacque, of De Pere, is also running as a Republican. Dr. Kristin Lyerly, also from De Pere, is the only announced Democratic candidate.
Another Republican and Trump-backer, GOP consultant Alex Bruesewitz, had been considering a run. Bruesewitz said in a text message Monday that he had been planning to run until he met Wied.
“I strongly encouraged him to plan for a run,” Bruestewitz said. “I believe he is a 10/10 candidate.”
Bruesewitz said he would working as an adviser on Wied’s campaign.
Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District is solidly Republican, but Democrats have vowed to make it competitive.
Trump won the district by 16 percentage points in 2020, even though he lost the state by less than a point to President Joe Biden. Gallagher won reelection three times by no fewer than 25 points. The district includes the cities of Appleton and Green Bay, Door County and covers mostly rural areas north through Marinette.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
- 170 nursing home residents displaced after largest facility in St. Louis closes suddenly
- France’s government and conservative lawmakers find a compromise on immigration bill
- Katie Holmes Reacts to Sweet Birthday Shoutout From Dawson's Creek Costar Mary-Margaret Humes
- Louisiana House greenlights Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax cuts
- Teddi Mellencamp shares skin cancer update after immunotherapy treatment failed: 'I have faith'
- Mustafa Ahmed announces benefit concert for Gaza, Sudan with Omar Apollo, Ramy Youssef, more
- 5-year-old twin boy and girl found dead in New York City apartment, investigation underway
- Trump is likely to name a loyalist as Pentagon chief after tumultuous first term
- Germany protests to Iran after a court ruling implicates Tehran in a plot to attack a synagogue
Ranking
- Anti-abortion advocates press Trump for more restrictions as abortion pill sales spike
- Zelenskyy says he is weighing Ukrainian military’s request for mobilization of up to 500,000 troops
- China’s earthquake survivors endure frigid temperatures and mourn the dead
- New York City faulted for delays in getting emergency food aid to struggling families
- Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader Throws Shade At Her DWTS Partner Sasha Farber Amid Romance Rumors
- A look at recent deadly earthquakes in China
- Sydney Sweeney Reflects on Tearful Aftermath of Euphoria Costar Angus Cloud's Death
- Teens struggle to identify misinformation about Israel-Hamas conflict — the world's second social media war
Recommendation
-
NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
-
Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clause
-
Climate talks call for a transition away from fossil fuels. Is that enough?
-
How Ariana Madix Influenced Raquel Leviss' Decision to Leave Vanderpump Rules
-
Miami Marlins hiring Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as manager
-
Guy Fieri Says His Kids Won't Inherit His Fortune Unless They Do This
-
Give the Gift of Travel This Holiday Season With Rare Deals on Away Luggage
-
Nikola Corp founder gets 4 years prison for exaggerating claims on zero-emission trucks