Preview of the Wisconsin House of Representatives primary: Intra-party battles in the Badger State

The Democrats’ path to a majority depends on ousting Republicans in the House in districts that Joe Biden won in 2020 and Kamala Harris is likely to win this year. But there are a few places across the country where a polarizing GOP member has given Democrats a chance in an area where Republicans wouldn’t normally have much trouble.

That includes Wisconsin’s 3rd District, held by Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. The new congressman marched to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and has a penchant for picking fights with his political opponents — and occasionally high school students. Next Tuesday, Democratic voters will choose their candidate to run against Van Orden.

Democrats are also optimistic about their chances in Wisconsin’s 1st District, which Trump won by three points in 2020. The DCCC recently added former Rep. Peter Barca (who has no primary) to its red-to-blue list of challenger candidates to keep an eye on. But Republican Rep. Bryan Steil — the handpicked successor to former House Speaker Paul Ryan — is holding out a lot and has a $4.7 million war chest. We have