Berman wins Wisconsin 1st District, ending 30-year GOP hold
The emergency room nurse defeated incumbent Bryan Steil in a race shaped by redistricting and national voter sentiment.
By Samir Patterson ·
Mitchell Berman, an emergency room nurse from Racine County, defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil to take control of Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. Berman conceded victory around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with The Associated Press officially calling the race at 11:48 p.m.
This result makes Berman the first Democrat to hold the seat in more than 30 years. The district previously belonged to former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, who served there for 20 years. Steil had represented the area since 2018, winning reelection with wide margins in previous cycles.
Supporters at a watch party in Elkhorn cheered as live television results showed Berman leading. Berman addressed the crowd at 11:10 p.m., thanking voters and acknowledging his background. "If you had told me even just a few years ago that I’d be your next congressman, I would have never believed you," he said. He described the outcome as a surprise and a sign of working people uniting.
In his acceptance speech, Berman pledged to fix the healthcare system, lower costs, and fight corruption in Washington. He told reporters that his door would remain open to all residents, including those who voted for Steil. He thanked his opponent for his service and expressed happiness at his new position.
Steil told his supporters in Sturtevant that it was a difficult night. "We gave it our all, but we came up short," he said. The 45-year-old attorney and Janesville native said he was proud of the progress made during his eight years in office. He noted that he worked in the manufacturing industry for about a decade before entering politics, previously serving as a staffer for Ryan.
Redistricting changed the district's political makeup before the election. The 1st District absorbed new Democratic areas near Beloit and Janesville while losing parts of Republican-leaning Waukesha County. Analysts predicted a closer race than in past years. National factors also played a role, with voter dissatisfaction regarding President Donald Trump and the cost of living contributing to a wave of Democratic wins.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee selected this district for its "Red to Blue" program to support Berman. During the single debate between the two candidates, they agreed that the cost of living was a top priority. Berman proposed repealing Trump administration tariffs, while Steil advocated for tax relief for residents. Berman said he would work to reverse policies enacted by the current administration.
The district covers the southeastern corner of the state. It includes Kenosha and Racine counties, the majority of Walworth County, and parts of Rock and Milwaukee counties. Results remain unofficial until certification in the weeks following the election.
