MEQUON, Wis. (WISS) – It’s still 2025, but one of the midterm elections in 2026 is already getting a lot of attention from Democrats and Republicans alike.

The election for 6th Congressional District is heating up with almost 10 months still to go before the primary. Eight Democrats have already filed papers to run, including Brad Smith of Mequon.

Smith has spent all of his life in the 6th Congressional District, and he said his Norweigian immigrant grandparents were dairy farmers in the area, long before he came to be.

Why run?

“The sixth? It’s so funny, I’ve lived here my entire life. First half of my life, give or take 20 years in Neenah. You know, the Fox Valley. And then give or take, next 20 was here in Mequon in Ozaukee County,” Smith said.

Smith emphasized that he is not a politician, but he is deeply committed to the 6th Congressional District, a district he said is not getting the attention it deserves.

“As I’ve been talking with everyone, there’s been this just growing sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling of lack of representation. And I’ve started to become more and more frustrated and even at risk of being apathetic like so many other people. And I started saying, ‘Okay, rather than just griping, what can you do about it? What action can we take?’ Because that’s what we need is people to step up and take action,” Brad Smith said.

Additionally, Smith said that the 6th Congressional District thirsts for more local representation. Representation and involvement that Smith said he is not seeing from the incumbent House Rep. Glenn Grothman (R – Glenbeulah).

“ I see people like Glenn, who I’ve chosen to run against here, that just aren’t representing us and the people on the ground here in the sixth, and I don’t think that’s just opinion. There’s facts behind that,” said Smith. “With the big ugly bill, now you’ve got healthcare costs that are going up by triple digits. Thirty thousand people are gonna lose healthcare access here in the six. So that impacts everybody on the ground here. And then you look at that bill, and 80% of the dollar benefits are going to the richest people. So you’re taking healthcare away, you’re hurting farmers with these tariffs, these policies to give more money to the people who don’t really need it.”

Brad Smith’s Platform

Smith outlined the platform for his campaign as three key issues: a fair economy, affordable health care, and education and training for everybody.

“ The main issues are not even partisan,” Smith said. “They’re things that people can agree across the aisle.”

A Fair Economy

Smith said the area needs good local jobs with livable, fair wages. He called out that CEO salaries are sometimes 300 times that of the average worker. Smith said that doesn’t look like progress to him, but more like theft. So he is eager to help create policies that foster business growth, entrepreneurial spirit, and good jobs in the area.

Affordable and Accessible Healthcare

Smith listed affordable and accessible healthcare for all as one of his key priorities.

“Whether you’re rural and it’s telemedicine or a good local clinic, or you’re in a big metro, healthcare is something that in the wealthiest country the world has ever known, we should really continue to invest in,” said Smith. “Healthy people can do more work. And people who do more work can spend more, and it goes right back into the economy. So I don’t even see this as anything that can be negotiated or argued as a handout. I see it as an investment in our people, in our populace, that makes our country stronger. Our economy’s stronger. Our family’s stronger.”

Education

Finally, he said, making education free and available to everyone is a priority.

“And I don’t just mean college and universities. I mean tech schools, trade schools, low or no cost, where people can get into these jobs,” he added. “It (education) can be that ladder that raises everybody up.”

6th Congressional District needs

Smith claims the biggest issues that he sees facing the voters and residents of the 6th Congressional District is affordable housing and access to healthcare.

He claims younger people just starting out face a daunting challenge when it comes to affording a home or an apartment.

“ The younger generation is going, how can I even get into a home? What are the options? How do I make sure I can afford rent? How can I ensure that my pay keeps up with it?,” Smith said.

He believes policies on investment groups buying up property and an affordable mix of property types where people live and work will help with the housing affordability issue.

As for healthcare, ensuring access and affordability for all is a concern.

“Everybody is concerned right now. I think especially those who are on the ACA (the Affordable Care Act Marketplace) and depend on that, at what costs might be coming. If we do see, people have quoted up to triple-digit growth. So many retirees and people with new businesses. Businesses like mine depend on (the ACA). So again, making sure that people aren’t worried about going bankrupt if something unforeseeable happens,” said Smith.

Background of Brad Smith

Smith was born in Larsen. Attended high school in Neenah, joined the National Guard after high school. He graduated from UW-Stephens Point and received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin as well. His professional life has been consulting for start-ups, public companies, and more in the digital realm.

Smith said while there seems to be more and more vitriolic speech and division between the parties, he wants to be a unifying voice working toward policies to help everyone.

“So many people I talk to just want to do the work and look out for each other again, and so I’m really focused on. Let’s do the policy work that people need here. And rather than throwing, you know, jabs on social media. I will fight for the things that matter! But I’m gonna do it in a respectful way that also respects, again, those folks who, yeah, they might vote for the other party, but they’re also good people too,” Smith said.

Smith lives in Mequon with his wife and two young sons, ages 9 and 12.

Overview of 6th Congressional District Race

The Democratic Field of contenders for the 6th Congressional District is a long one. In addition to Smith, Aaron Wojciechowski, Amanda Bell, Michael Heidenreich, John Macho, Joey Marschall, and Kortney Oldham are also running. Kelly Brown of Juneau filed papers to run, but has since dropped out of the race. The remaining candidates will face off in the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026.

Smith acknowledges the odds with seven competitors and a Republican-leaning district.

“There hasn’t been a Democrat since JFK in this district. So people are saying, ‘You just can’t.’ But we’ve also seen it go unopposed. And this can’t happen,” Smith said. “I think we’re all aligned, saying, ‘Okay, this is great personal cost. It’s a great challenge. It’s a big risk. But this is the time to take action. If we don’t, you know, how are we helping be the change we wanna see?’”

On the Republican side, incumbent Grothman faces a challenge from Johnathan Peetz of Pardeeville.

The 6th Congressional District is made up of Columbia, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Manitowoc, Marquette, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Waushara Counties, and parts of Calumet, Dodge, and Winnebago Counties.

Campaign Kickoff

Smith’s campaign is holding a public launch event on Wednesday, Nov. 6 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Inventors Brew Pub in Port Washington. Supporters, neighbors, and members of the public are invited to attend.

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