Updated on 12/2/25 @ 9:32 This story has been corrected to reflect Bell’s previous workplaces, which are the Upper Midwest Water Science Center and US Geological Survey.

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— U.S. Congressman Glenn Grothman faces opposition in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. One Republican and seven Democrats are looking to unseat him in November. One of those Democratic candidates is 45-year-old Amanda Bell of Pardeeville.

Bell said she is running for Congress because she feels people in the 6th Congressional District are not getting what they deserve from their federal representatives.

“As a former federal employee, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions made in Washington truly affect real-life families. And how these political games stall progress and really hurt the people who need it the most. I’ve seen my friends and family struggle. People working harder than ever and falling further and further behind, especially how these tariffs are hurting my family in particular,” Bell said. “Glenn Grothman used to listen to his constituents, but now he just toes the party line. To me, that’s so not leadership. That is loyalty to politics and not to the people he’s supposed to be representing.”

Bell said she left her job at the U.S. Geological Survey because she refused to put politics over people.

Platform

Bell is still working on her platform. She said she knows that it will change as she talks with the people who live, work, and spend in the 6th Congressional District.

“ I have a lot of things that are very important to me. However, my platform is actually a lot more simple than that. I want to listen first. I want to act with integrity and represent everybody, not just a party or a special interest,” said Bell. “My job as a representative is not to push my ideals and my personal choices. My job is to represent the people of the sixth district. They deserve a voice in Washington. And I plan to make sure that they have one.”

Listening

Bell said she is going visit cafes and community centers to listen to the neighbors and residents of the 6th Congressional District. She plans to hold Town Hall-style meetings to hear precisely what constituents want.

“ My platform starts with listening. I want to be a representative, just not another politician telling people what they need! Because the last thing anybody really wants is for somebody to walk up to me and be like, ‘You know, I know what you need!’ When I come up to people, I say, ‘Hey, what can I do for you? How can I serve you? And how can I help you get what you need?’” she said.

Service

Bell said she will base her campaign on her own morals and values of respect, hard work, and fairness.

“ I come from a heart of service. My love language is truly serving others, whether it’s serving at my church – I’m a confirmation teacher. It’s serving in my community,” Bell continued, “Or serving, you know, education as a substitute teacher. I just wrapped up a half-day as a substitute. My platform is service to the people.”

6th Congressional District needs

In her conversations, Bell said she has found that her neighbors throughout the area are talking about affordability, veterans care, farmers, education, and AI Data Centers. But most of all, they need to be heard.

“Glenn (Grothman) and a lot of our other representatives have completely lost touch and have detached from reality and the reality of the working people of the district. I’ve had interactions with Glenn a few times, and he’s never shown me that he actually cares about what I have to say as a member of his constituency.

“That’s actually one of the things that frustrates me the most. When I’m trying to have a conversation with my representative, and he basically ignores me or walks away, that doesn’t tell me that he actually cares about me,” Bell explained.

Background

Born and raised just outside of Johnsonville in Sheboygan County. She grew up working on the farm and has worked in factories and other service jobs. The most significant part of her life was in civil service.

Bell was the Deputy Director of the Upper Midwest Water Science Center and US Geological Survey within the U.S. Department of the Interior. She worked for the U.S. Geological Society for 24 years. She specialized in aquatic biology, researching fish, invertebrates, and algae in streams and rivers all across the United States.

“ Basically, from the farm to the factories, to the federal service. Every step in my journey has been about hard work and integrity, and above all, serving others,” said Bell

Overview of 6th Congressional District Race

The 6th CD comprises Columbia, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Manitowoc, Marquette, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Waushara Counties, and parts of Calumet, Dodge, and Winnebago Counties.

The list of Democratic contenders for the 6th Congressional District is long. In addition to Bell, Aaron Wojciechowski, Brad Smith, John Macho, Joey Marschall, Michael Heidenreich, and Kortney Oldham, are also running. Kelly Brown 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.

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

Want More Local News?

Civic Media

The Civic Media App