Ben Steinhoff Takes on Scott Fitzgerald for Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District

The paramedic and firefighter seeks to unseat a longtime incumbent and discusses grassroots change and leadership on The Earl Ingram Show

A first-time political candidate is in the race for Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District. Ben Steinhoff is a paramedic and firefighter with more than a decade of experience in healthcare. He is taking on Republican Scott Fitzgerald and joins Earl Ingram, host of The Earl Ingram Show to discuss the district dominated by conservative politics. Steinhoff describes his platform as one of reform, inspired by the challenges his community faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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LISTEN to the interview here:

[podcast src="https://civicmedia.us/shows/earl-ingram-show/2024/10/14/finally-a-focus-hour-1"]

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“My campaign is driven by a deep dissatisfaction with the status quo, particularly the lack of funding for emergency services in rural Wisconsin,” Steinhoff explains. “Our volunteer EMS service in Lake Mills shut down during COVID because we ran out of funds. Our state legislature dragged its feet on distributing federal pandemic relief, and now those same areas are served by private companies with free rein to raise the rates.”

Fitzgerald is a former state senator and has easily won previous elections. But Steinhoff tells Ingram he believes his blue-collar background and commitment to the district’s working-class voters can resonate across party lines. 

“Many people are frustrated with Fitzgerald’s record, including his role in supporting Foxconn’s failed development and involvement in changes to Act 10,” Steinhoff says. “We are now attracting attention from some of the conservative voters.” 

Steinhoff identifies as a Democrat but he and Ingram discuss his decision to avoid conventional political labels.  

“I’m focusing instead on key issues like 911 reform, education, and women’s rights,” he explains. “And I made a deliberate choice to use green as my campaign color to emphasize environmental concerns.”

It may be an uphill battle in one of the reddest districts in the country, but Steinhoff is optimistic. And he is banking on the power of personal conversations mixed with grassroots engagement to shift the tide. 

“I’m hoping to mobilize voters disillusioned with Fitzgerald’s policies,” he says. “I’m not a politician. I’m a leader. Politics got us into this mess, and leadership is what’s going to get us out.”

WATCH the entire show here: