A new poll shows Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil with a solid lead in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, underscoring why national Democrats appear to be turning to out-of-district candidates in their bid to unseat the incumbent.
The Rangar Research poll for Conservatives for America, conducted March 10-12 and released Wednesday, found Steil leading Democrat Mitchell Berman 50% to 41% among likely voters. The survey was an internal Republican poll.
Steil, a Janesville Republican seeking a fifth term, has represented the southeastern Wisconsin district since 2019. The seat has a modest Republican lean, with President Donald Trump carrying it by about 4 to 5 points in recent cycles.
The double-digit gap in the poll highlights the challenge for Democrats in a district that has consistently backed Steil by comfortable margins. It also comes as Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis, who does not live in the 1st District, launched his campaign last week to challenge the congressman.
Republicans pointed out that Burgelis’ candidacy it shows Democrats are struggling to recruit viable local candidates capable of mounting a serious race against the well-funded incumbent. Steil has called out Burgelis directly, saying a Milwaukee politician “has no business running in a seat he doesn’t live in.”
Burgelis, who represents Milwaukee’s 11th Aldermanic District on the city’s south side, joins a crowded Democratic primary field that also includes perennial candidate Randy Bryce.
