Political advertising has reached a new low — and Republicans are spending millions to make sure voters are angry, misinformed and distracted.

That’s especially clear in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, where roughly $42 million has already gone into the race between Democrat Rebecca Cook and Republican incumbent Derek Van Orden. Van Orden is relying heavily on attack ads and AI-generated content while maintaining his close alliance with Donald Trump — and keeping his campaign appearances away from the kind of open town halls where constituents can ask him tough questions.

From misleading attack ads and AI-generated videos to manufactured culture-war controversies, the 2026 campaign is becoming a test of just how far Republicans will go to hold onto power. We look at examples from Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas and beyond — and what Democrats are facing in the fight to take back Congress.

The topics:


$42 Million in Wisconsin’s 3rd CD: The staggering amount of money poured into the race between Rebecca Cook and Derek Van Orden — and the fight for control of Congress.


Elon vs. Soros: Musk’s massive investment in Republican politics, the role of wealthy donors and the double standard Republicans apply when criticizing Democratic megadonors.


The Politics of Personal Trauma: The disturbing Ohio attack ad using the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton — and the family history behind it.


Van Orden Stoops to Deepfakes: AI-generated videos targeting Rebecca Cook, Van Orden’s attack-heavy campaign strategy and his continued alignment with Donald Trump.


Democrats Take Congress. Then What? What Democrats could realistically accomplish — and what would remain out of reach — if they win control of Congress.

Political advertising has reached a new low &mdash; and Republicans are spending millions to make sure voters are angry, misinformed and distracted.
That&rsquo;s especially clear in Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd Congressional District, where roughly $42 million has already gone into the race between Democrat Rebecca Cook and Republican incumbent Derek Van Orden. Van Orden is relying heavily on attack ads and AI-generated content while maintaining his close alliance with Donald Trump &mdash; and keeping his campaign appearances away from the kind of open town halls where constituents can ask him tough questions.
From misleading attack ads and AI-generated videos to manufactured culture-war controversies, the 2026 campaign is becoming a test of just how far Republicans will go to hold onto power. We look at examples from Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas and beyond &mdash; and what Democrats are facing in the fight to take back Congress.
The topics:
<ul>
<li>
$42 Million in Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd CD: The staggering amount of money poured into the race between Rebecca Cook and Derek Van Orden &mdash; and the fight for control of Congress.
</li>
<li>
Elon vs. Soros: Musk&rsquo;s massive investment in Republican politics, the role of wealthy donors and the double standard Republicans apply when criticizing Democratic megadonors.
</li>
<li>
The Politics of Personal Trauma: The disturbing Ohio attack ad using the estranged mother of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton &mdash; and the family history behind it.
</li>
<li>
Van Orden Stoops to Deepfakes: AI-generated videos targeting Rebecca Cook, Van Orden&rsquo;s attack-heavy campaign strategy and his continued alignment with Donald Trump.
</li>
<li>
Democrats Take Congress. Then What? What Democrats could realistically accomplish &mdash; and what would remain out of reach &mdash; if they win control of Congress.
</li>
</ul>

Republican campaign tactics: Big money, deepfakes and dirty politics

Across Wisconsin, data centers, surveillance and AI are taking over — literally and in politics. 

But in one corner of the state, it's a 190-mile power line that everyone cares about and nobody wants.

We open though with a sharp look at how politicians are walking a tightrope on data center developments due to campaign cash — calling out Republican Derek Van Orden for publicly defending "super intelligence" in social media comment sections, while contrasting his stances with leaders like Rebecca Cooke pushing for a moratorium.

That set the stage for this massive 765-kilovolt MariBell transmission line proposal across southwest Wisconsin, that threatens farmland, private property and the Driftless Region — even as electricity use in the state has barely budged in two decades.

Residents are united in opposing the project. But will that be enough?

While politicians across the aisle claim to oppose the build, Democrats like David Crowley and Cooke are the ones actually equipped to protect local communities. 

Because local ordinances can't legally block the project, the decision comes down to the state Public Service Commission, and Republicans take campaign cash from out-of-state tech billionaires. Crowley is looking to empower local towns and appoint utility regulators who stand up to energy developers rather than rubber-stamping their demands.

Across Wisconsin, data centers, surveillance and AI are taking over &mdash; literally and in politics.&nbsp;
But in one corner of the state, it's a 190-mile power line that everyone cares about and nobody wants.
We open though with a sharp look at how politicians are walking a tightrope on data center developments due to campaign cash &mdash; calling&nbsp;out Republican Derek Van Orden for publicly defending "super intelligence" in social media comment sections, while contrasting his stances with leaders like Rebecca Cooke pushing for a moratorium.
That set the stage for this massive 765-kilovolt MariBell transmission line proposal across southwest Wisconsin, that threatens farmland, private property and the Driftless Region &mdash; even as electricity use in the state has barely budged in two decades.
Residents are united in opposing the project. But will that be enough?
While politicians across the aisle claim to oppose the build, Democrats like David Crowley and Cooke are the ones actually equipped to protect local communities.&nbsp;
Because local ordinances can't legally block the project, the decision comes down to the state Public Service Commission, and Republicans take campaign cash from out-of-state tech billionaires. Crowley is looking to empower local towns and appoint utility regulators who stand up to energy developers rather than rubber-stamping their demands.

The MariBell transmission lines, and who's going to stop it

Republicans have, once again, thrown three very manipulative and confusing "yes-no" constitutional amendments on the fall ballot. 

Everyone on the state will see them on their ballots and you should vote no. We get into why.

Also, city of La Crosse residents will see a Community Healthcare Action Plan question to create a healthcare committee. Around 5,000 residents signed a petition to get it on the ballot. 

That one is a vote yes. 

It reads: “Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?”

Back to the three GOP constitutional amendments, they were written by Republicans to confuse you enough to both not quite know what they're saying but also somewhat sway you to think you should vote yes. None of them had Democratic input. 

Republicans have, once again, thrown three very manipulative and confusing "yes-no" constitutional amendments on the fall ballot.&nbsp;
Everyone on the state will see them on their ballots and you should vote no. We get into why.
Also, city of La Crosse residents will see a Community Healthcare Action Plan question to create a healthcare committee. Around 5,000 residents signed a petition to get it on the ballot.&nbsp;
That one is a vote yes.&nbsp;
It reads: &ldquo;Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?&rdquo;
Back to the three GOP constitutional amendments, they were written by Republicans to confuse you enough to both not quite know what they're saying but also somewhat sway you to think you should vote yes. None of them had Democratic input.&nbsp;

Why you should vote no on 3 GOP ballot questions, and yes on local one

Derek Van Orden is flailing in Congress and rapidly losing support from Donald Trump.

As House Republicans bail on Washington again to avoid doing their job, Wisconsin’s 3rd District Congressman finds himself isolated, underfunded, and making continuous public blunders.

We break down how Van Orden managed to insult two distinct communities outside the Capitol in a single TMZ clip, drawing direct condemnation from La Crosse's mayor, and we expose the fuzzy math behind his rural healthcare claims after he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid — all after flying to Texas to suck up to Trump during a 6-minute speech.

Episode Highlights:
TMZ Blunder Sparks Outrage: Off-the-cuff Capitol comments managed to insult both Black and LGBTQ+ communities, drawing swift backlash from La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey.
The $1 Trillion Healthcare Scam: Van Orden touts a $50 billion rural hospital grant package, but hides the fact that he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid.
Trump Cuts Cash, Elon Sends Scraps: Trump's Super PAC is stiffing Van Orden, leaving him to settle for a few thousand bucks in mailer scraps from Elon Musk's America PAC to keep his campaign afloat.
Punishing Hungry Families: Van Orden brags about "saving" SNAP after voting for new restrictions that cut off 30,000 district families.
Hiding from Voters: Instead of meeting constituents, Van Orden fled to a D.C. fundraiser while local Democrats connected directly with hundreds of voters at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast.
Sneaky Campaigning on Your Dime: How Van Orden uses official, taxpayer-funded cabinet visits like RFK Jr. to cover up his lack of actual legislative work in Washington.
Massive Recess Dodge: Van Orden and House GOP leadership abruptly called off scheduled voting days to avoid a disastrous vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth.

The Democratic Voice is hosted by 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party Chair William Garcia and WIZM’s Rick Solem.

Derek Van Orden is flailing in Congress and rapidly losing support from Donald Trump.
As House Republicans bail on Washington again to avoid doing their job, Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd District Congressman finds himself isolated, underfunded, and making continuous public blunders.
We break down how Van Orden managed to insult two distinct communities outside the Capitol in a single TMZ clip, drawing direct condemnation from La Crosse's mayor, and we expose the fuzzy math behind his rural healthcare claims after he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid &mdash; all after flying to Texas to suck up to Trump during a 6-minute speech.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">TMZ Blunder Sparks Outrage: Off-the-cuff Capitol comments managed to insult both Black and LGBTQ+ communities, drawing swift backlash from La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The $1 Trillion Healthcare Scam: Van Orden touts a $50 billion rural hospital grant package, but hides the fact that he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Trump Cuts Cash, Elon Sends Scraps: Trump's Super PAC is stiffing Van Orden, leaving him to settle for a few thousand bucks in mailer scraps from Elon Musk's America PAC to keep his campaign afloat.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Punishing Hungry Families: Van Orden brags about "saving" SNAP after voting for new restrictions that cut off 30,000 district families.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hiding from Voters: Instead of meeting constituents, Van Orden fled to a D.C. fundraiser while local Democrats connected directly with hundreds of voters at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Sneaky Campaigning on Your Dime: How Van Orden uses official, taxpayer-funded cabinet visits like RFK Jr. to cover up his lack of actual legislative work in Washington.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Massive Recess Dodge: Van Orden and House GOP leadership abruptly called off scheduled voting days to avoid a disastrous vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth.</li>
</ul>
The Democratic Voice is hosted by 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party Chair William Garcia and WIZM&rsquo;s Rick Solem.

Flailing in D.C.: Derek Van Orden is losing Trump’s cash, settling for Elon’s scraps

On this Labor Day weekend, we break down why Wisconsin could be on the cusp of a major labor union surge, while Republicans in the US House cut their month's work down to four days and focus on "trolling" bills.

With new legislative maps in play, we look at how a potential Democratic trifecta could clear the path to repeal Act 10, restore prevailing wage, and overhaul worker rights across the state.

Before we got to that, however, we open looking at what the GOP priorities are in the US House, including bills to defund universities that boycott Israel, condemning socialism/communism and e capping Supreme Court justices.

Episode Highlights:


House GOP Priorities: Republicans push symbolic floor votes on condemning socialism, Supreme Court caps and defunding universities while ignoring pocketbook issues.


Labor Day Shift: A massive coalition of state unions unites behind David Crowley for governor to push a landmark worker-rights reset.


Repealing Act 10: How overturning Scott Walker's legacy policy would restore collective bargaining rights for public sector employees.


The $15 Goal: David Crowley’s plan to raise the minimum wage and eliminate low base pay for tipped workers.


The PRO Act: How federal legislation could weaken right-to-work laws and shield workers from anti-union pressure tactics.


Contrast on Unions: A look at Tom Tiffany’s legislative track record on labor compared to current union momentum.

On this Labor Day weekend, we break down why Wisconsin could be on the cusp of a major labor union surge, while Republicans in the US House cut their month's work down to four days and focus on "trolling" bills.
With new legislative maps in play, we look at how a potential Democratic trifecta could clear the path to repeal Act 10, restore prevailing wage, and overhaul worker rights across the state.
Before we got to that, however, we open looking at what the GOP priorities are in the US House, including bills to defund universities that boycott Israel, condemning socialism/communism and e capping Supreme Court justices.
Episode Highlights:
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
House GOP Priorities: Republicans push symbolic floor votes on condemning socialism, Supreme Court caps and defunding universities while ignoring pocketbook issues.
</li>
<li>
Labor Day Shift: A massive coalition of state unions unites behind David Crowley for governor to push a landmark worker-rights reset.
</li>
<li>
Repealing Act 10: How overturning Scott Walker's legacy policy would restore collective bargaining rights for public sector employees.
</li>
<li>
The $15 Goal: David Crowley&rsquo;s plan to raise the minimum wage and eliminate low base pay for tipped workers.
</li>
<li>
The PRO Act: How federal legislation could weaken right-to-work laws and shield workers from anti-union pressure tactics.
</li>
<li>
Contrast on Unions: A look at Tom Tiffany&rsquo;s legislative track record on labor compared to current union momentum.
</li>
</ul>

House GOP wastes September, WI Dems eye union surge

Wisconsin Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor candidate Sarah Godlewski joins for a quick-hitting dive into the state’s political landscape.

(This interview happened before Mandela Barnes dropped out of the governor's race)

Godlewski breaks down why she’s seeking the Lt. Governor’s office to serve as an effective economic partner for Wisconsin's next governor.

Drawing on her financial background as former State Treasurer, Godlewski addresses the pressing costs facing working families — from skyrocketing healthcare premiums and hospital closures in the Chippewa Valley to closing corporate tax loopholes like the "dark store" loophole.

She also talks about being 1st Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Godlewski shares why a competitive Democratic primary strengthens the ticket against extreme opponents, how the party maintains strict neutrality while building statewide infrastructure, and why the best way to listen to voters might just be a statewide supper club tour.

Wisconsin Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor candidate Sarah Godlewski joins for a quick-hitting dive into the state&rsquo;s political landscape.
(This interview happened before Mandela Barnes dropped out of the governor's race)
Godlewski breaks down why she&rsquo;s seeking the Lt. Governor&rsquo;s office to serve as an effective economic partner for Wisconsin's next governor.
Drawing on her financial background as former State Treasurer, Godlewski addresses the pressing costs facing working families &mdash; from skyrocketing healthcare premiums and hospital closures in the Chippewa Valley to closing corporate tax loopholes like the "dark store" loophole.
She also talks about being 1st Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Godlewski shares why a competitive Democratic primary strengthens the ticket against extreme opponents, how the party maintains strict neutrality while building statewide infrastructure, and why the best way to listen to voters might just be a statewide supper club tour.

Sec. of State Sarah Godlewski on Lt. Governor run, economic relief and Democratic primaries

Dylan Helmenstine joins to tells us why he’s running for Wisconsin state treasurer what he feels is and isn't happening with that position and the experience he brings to take on that the job.

Dylan Helmenstine joins to tells us why he&rsquo;s running for Wisconsin state treasurer what he feels is and isn't happening with that position and the experience he brings to take on that the job.

Dylan Helmenstine on running for Wisconsin state treasurer 

For 37 years, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has helped protect Wisconsin’s land and water.

A program that’s been renewed every two years as part of the state budget — until now. 

Republicans in the state Legislature are letting it expire. They stripped it from the last budget to pass as a standalone bill and then never passed it out of the Senate.

We dive into what the program does, how it got started under GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson and how all the Democratic governor candidates are hoping it can be renewed next year with control of the government.

For 37 years, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has helped protect Wisconsin&rsquo;s land and water.
A program that&rsquo;s been renewed every two years as part of the state budget &mdash; until now.&nbsp;
Republicans in the state Legislature are letting it expire. They stripped it from the last budget to pass as a standalone bill and then never passed it out of the Senate.
We dive into what the program does, how it got started under GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson and how all the Democratic governor candidates are hoping it can be renewed next year with control of the government.

GOP lets Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson program end after 37 years

Yee Leng Xiong joins to tells us why he’s running for Wisconsin state treasurer, helps us understand the role of that office, plus he shares the incredible story of how his family made it to Wisconsin after Vietnam.

Yee Leng Xiong joins to tells us why he&rsquo;s running for Wisconsin state treasurer, helps us understand the role of that office, plus he shares the incredible story of how his family made it to Wisconsin after Vietnam.

Yee Leng Xiong on running for Wisconsin state treasurer 

We break down the endless angles to a failed bipartisan deal to spend $1.8 billion in budget surplus property tax relief, rebate checks, education funding and no tax on tip/overtime. The deal was negotiated behind closed doors by three retiring politicians — Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican leaders of the Legislature (Robin Vos and Devin Lemahieu. It was rolled out on a Monday and a vote was taken three days later. It easily passed on both side of the Assembly. But no Democrats and three Republicans killed it in the state Senate. And all but one candidate for Wisconsin governor supported it. 

We break down the endless angles to a failed bipartisan deal to spend $1.8 billion in budget surplus property tax relief, rebate checks, education funding and no tax on tip/overtime. The deal was negotiated behind closed doors by three retiring politicians &mdash; Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican leaders of the Legislature (Robin Vos and Devin Lemahieu. It was rolled out on a Monday and a vote was taken three days later. It easily passed on both side of the Assembly. But no Democrats and three Republicans killed it in the state Senate. And all but one candidate for Wisconsin governor supported it.&nbsp;

The endless angles to Wisconsin's failed $1.8 billion budget surplus deal

From La Crosse to Madison to D.C., La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia and WIZM's Rick Solem break down the politics impacting Wisconsinites.

From La Crosse to Madison to D.C., La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia and <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">WIZM's</a> Rick Solem break down the politics impacting Wisconsinites.

The Democratic Voice Podcast

From La Crosse to Madison to D.C., La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia and WIZM's Rick Solem break down the politics impacting Wisconsinites.

The Democratic Voice

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