Green Bay’s Rick Crosson runs for 8th Congressional District

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WGBW) – Another Democrat has decided to run for the 8th Congressional District in northeast Wisconsin.

The name will be familiar to those who have followed the Green Bay Area Public School District in the past two years. Former school board member Rick Crosson is now running for Congress.

“ I’ve got a lot of people who I have to convince that I am the best candidate for all of the 8th Congressional District,” Crosson said. “Not just the Democratic party; not just the ambivalent people in the middle; but for the entire population of people who reside in this district, and to the larger extent, to the state of Wisconsin and to the larger extent for the United States of America as a member of the US Congress.”

Crosson said that part of his desire to run for Congress is to fight against what he called a dictatorial administration.

“I think these are times when we all have to put our respective energies in right places to checkmate this slide toward dictatorship that’s happening,” he said. “As a member of the Democratic Party, I think we have to position ourselves better to be that same logical, inclusive, alternative to this extremist, autocratic, dictatorial thing that we are finding ourselves in.”

But while Crosson finds the inspiration to run based on what is happening nationally, he says he is primarily concerned with the issues that concern the 8th Congressional District.

“Generally speaking, Medicaid medical issues, Medicare, this so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has the potential of kicking about 270,000 Wisconsinites off the program. We’ve got immigration issues that don’t just affect people who come from other countries. It’s affecting all of us. It’s affecting the economy we have,” Crosson said. “Large elements of our communities who are in personal crisis. We’ve got families that don’t come out of the house for fear of being nabbed off of the streets. And, for me, when one person in this community suffers, that means we’re all suffering.”

He called out poverty, affordable housing, mental health issues, the need for a strong workforce, and environmental issues connected to water and agriculture in the area among the other issues facing the 8th Congressional District.

“Foundational” is one way that Crosson describes the platforms he is running on. He said the five elements of his campaign can be built upon to achieve every other issue not mentioned. He lists leadership, economic security, fierce defense of the Democratic Institution to include maintaining a separation of powers amongst the three branches of government, health care as a fundemental right, and a strong educational agenda that gives access to knowledge for children, adolescents and adults.

Crosson comes from a line of military veterans. He spent 20 years in the military as an Army combat aviator, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After his military career he spent time in leadership roles in transportation and logistics among other businesses. He’s lived all over the world. And, of course, he served on the Green Bay Area Public School District Board during a time of rebuilding and redefining the role of the Superintendent.

“There’s an element of personal desire to stay in and make a difference, but I also truly believe that I am the best qualified to serve in that position. My whole life and my life’s work and my skillsets lead me to feel very confident that I can function in the role of congressman,” Crosson said.

While his campaign does not have a web site at this time, but he has set up a Facebook page dedicated to his campaign. He also invites voters to reach out to him at RickCrossonforCongress@Gmail.com.

Crosson is not the only Democrat running for the 8th Congressional District. Mark Scheffler, a retired businessman from Appleton, will run against Crosson in the primary.

The winner of the Democratic Primary on Aug. 11, 2026, will face 8th CD Incumbent Tony Wied, who recently told a local television station that he will seek reelection. 

“Tony Wied is in over his head. He may be well-meaning, but he’s inaccessible. He’s the guy who won’t come and have a conversation with the people that he’s accountable to,” Crosson said of the incumbent. “I think he is a rubber stamp. And I think that we need more than that. We need accountability, leadership, and results that solve problems.” 

The 8th Congressional District covers all of Green Bay and Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, and Waupaca Counties, and parts of Winnebago County.