An undated campaign photo of Peter Barca (Photo via Peter W. Barca on Facebook)

Former Rep. Peter Barca (D) officially secured the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District seat on Tuesday, aiming to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Bryan Steil. 

Barca ran unopposed going into the Democratic primary election after three other candidates withdrew from the race. He previously represented the district from 1993 to 1995 and has since held prominent roles in state politics, including serving as the Assembly leader and the state’s revenue secretary.

Barca’s return to politics comes as he sets his sights on the seat Steil has held since 2018. In his announcement in April, Barca highlighted his priorities: expanding the middle class, improving health care access, enhancing the quality of life for seniors, ensuring public safety and safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Mike Marinella, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson, criticized him as being “too extreme for Southeast Wisconsin.” He argued that Barca’s policies are out of touch with local values and predicted a decisive victory for Steil.

Barca dismissed these criticisms when the press asked for a response. “I’ve always been a pro-business, fiscally conservative Democrat,” he continued. “I believe I align well with the district’s needs and values.”

Redistricting in 2021 made the district somewhat more favorable to Democrats, coinciding with a shift in the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s political balance. Despite the shift, the Cook Political Report still rated the race as “likely Republican.”

Steil, a congressman since 2019, has faced criticism from some quarters. Despite naming the military and veterans as a main issue in his campaign, Steil and other House Republicans voted to pass the Limit, Save, Grow Act last year. This legislation aimed to raise the debt ceiling; however, it would have likely slashed the benefits of veterans in the process.