Wassgren pitches economic revival, affordability focus in Wisconsin’s 7th District bid

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!
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MARSHFIELD, Wis. — Paul Wassgren, a corporate attorney and fifth-generation Northwoods resident from Ashland, says he is running for Congress in Wisconsin’s 7th District to “revitalize” the region’s economy, arguing that job losses and higher living costs are pushing young people to leave northern Wisconsin.

In a “Get to Know” interview produced by Marshfield Broadcasting, Wassgren said he is seeking the seat he described as “Tom Tiffany’s open seat” and framed his candidacy around economic opportunity, affordability and what he called overdue reforms to the legal system.

“As I travel around the Northland, I see some pretty distressing signs of economic loss,” Wassgren said, citing factory closures and fewer opportunities for young people. “Our greatest export right now is our children,” he added.

Asked to describe the job of a U.S. representative “in plain terms,” Wassgren said it is to serve as an advocate in Washington. He said his background as a corporate attorney for more than 20 years prepares him for that role.

Priorities: jobs, affordability and legal reform
Wassgren listed economic revitalization as his top priority, saying concerns about jobs are a recurring theme he hears across the 26-county district. He said affordability is the second major issue, pointing to costs families face “at the pump” and “at the supermarket.”

As a third focus, Wassgren said he wants to pursue reforms to the legal system, including reducing what he described as “frivolous lawsuits.” He argued that cutting litigation costs would lower insurance premiums and improve affordability. As an example, he said a typical family of four in northern Wisconsin is paying health insurance premiums “of over $2,000 a month.”

Energy, regulation and small business
Wassgren criticized “Biden economic policy” and said reversing federal energy policy has helped bring down fuel costs, which he argued affects prices across the economy.

On small business, he said the federal government’s best role is to “stay out of their way,” adding that regulation has made Wisconsin less competitive for job creation. On tariffs, he voiced general support for President Donald Trump’s trade approach as a negotiating strategy, while acknowledging some people have been adversely impacted.

Health care, mental health and entitlement programs
Wassgren said rural health care costs have risen and called for “undoing” what he described as damage from the Affordable Care Act. He said deregulation and tax incentives could help expand facilities and attract new health care investment.

On substance abuse, he credited tighter border enforcement with reducing illegal narcotics entering the country, while describing mental health as primarily a state and local issue.

Asked about Medicare and Social Security, Wassgren said he does not think the programs should be cut, calling them benefits Americans have paid into throughout their careers.

Agriculture, forestry and broadband
Wassgren said farmers and others he has met frequently raise concerns about the “uncontrolled gray wolf population,” and he cited legislation introduced by Tiffany aimed at shifting more wildlife management authority back to the state.

He also argued that federal involvement has harmed parts of Wisconsin’s dairy industry, recounting how his grandparents’ Mountain Valley Cheese Factory in Bayfield County ultimately left the business, which he attributed to government policy and market impacts.

On forestry and paper, Wassgren said federal policy should encourage investment in sustainable products, pointing to discussion of a proposed sustainable aviation fuel facility in Hayward that he said could bring significant economic activity.

For rural broadband, he said private-sector solutions are key and pointed to Starlink as an example, arguing that deregulation and tax incentives can expand access. He also highlighted the federal Qualified Opportunity Zone program, saying it has helped spur development and job creation in northern Wisconsin.

Education, budget and accessibility
Wassgren said he would support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning more authority and funding to states and local communities, while encouraging technical college and trade pathways.

On the federal deficit, he said he would prioritize cutting “fraud, waste, and abuse,” while protecting programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. He also said he supports efforts to balance the federal budget, though not “overnight.”

Wassgren said he has opened a campaign office in Wausau and plans to remain accessible through town halls and other outreach, including virtual meetings.

Voters can learn more about his campaign at www.paulwassgren.com, he said.

Marshfield Broadcasting closed the program by stating it does not endorse candidates or political parties and that the interview is part of an effort to provide general information about candidates running for office.

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