Derrick Van Orden

Derrick Van Orden is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, first elected as a Republican in 2022 and assuming office in January 2023. Prior to his legislative career, he served in the United States Navy for 26 years as a SEAL, retiring with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his military service, he completed five combat deployments and worked on Special Operations contingency planning in Europe. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior University. Beyond his military and political roles, Van Orden has been a small business owner, operating a local cafe with his wife in Wisconsin. He is also the author of the 2015 book "A Book of Man: A Navy SEAL's Guide to the Lost Art of Manhood" and appeared in the 2012 film "Act of Valor." In Congress, he serves on the House Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, and Armed Services committees. His initial entry into national politics included a narrow loss in his first bid for the same congressional seat in 2020 before winning the open seat two years later.

Van Orden’s policy platform emphasizes fiscal responsibility, where he advocates for reducing federal spending and implementing term limits for members of Congress. On border security, he supports strict enforcement of immigration laws, the completion of a border wall, and has introduced legislation to authorize military force against certain Mexican cartels. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, he focuses on supporting Wisconsin’s dairy industry and has championed the year-round availability of E15 fuel. In healthcare, he prioritizes veterans' services, serving as Chair of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee for Veterans' Affairs to improve reintegration and VA accountability. He identifies as pro-life and has expressed support for restricting abortion access.