By David Murchland - Marshfield Now! MARSHFIELD, Wis. — Marshfield Broadcasting's "Get to Know" series continues with an in-depth conversation featuring Fred Clark, a Democratic candidate seeking election to represent Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the interview, Clark shared his background, discussed the issues shaping his campaign, and outlined his vision for northern and central Wisconsin. Clark, who lives in Bayfield County, has spent much of his career working as a forester, land manager, and small business owner. He also previously served in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he worked on conservation, education, and other statewide policy issues. During the interview, Clark explained that Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District covers 26 counties across much of northern Wisconsin, including Marshfield and surrounding communities. The seat is expected to become open following Congressman Tom Tiffany's decision to run for governor, making the 2026 election one of the state's most closely watched races. Clark said strengthening rural communities is at the center of his campaign. He emphasized support for small businesses, family farms, and locally owned manufacturers, saying they are the backbone of the region's economy. He also expressed concern over rising production costs facing farmers and the challenges many rural businesses face in today's economy. Several national issues were discussed during the interview, including tariffs, inflation, healthcare, transportation, clean energy, and gun policy. Clark voiced concerns about current federal tariff policies, saying uncertainty surrounding trade has negatively affected farmers and businesses. He also discussed the importance of maintaining affordable healthcare, investing in infrastructure, and encouraging renewable energy development while protecting rural communities. When asked about gun policy, Clark described himself as both a hunter and gun owner who supports Second Amendment rights while also advocating for measures designed to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others. Throughout the conversation, Clark stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation. Drawing from his experience in the Wisconsin Legislature, he said elected officials should work across party lines to solve problems rather than deepen political divisions. As the campaign season continues, Clark said he plans to visit all 26 counties in the district through town halls and community events to meet directly with voters and hear their concerns. Marshfield Broadcasting's *Get to Know* series provides equal opportunities for candidates seeking public office to introduce themselves to voters and discuss the issues important to the communities they hope to represent. Additional candidate interviews will be released as they are recorded. The full interview with Fred Clark is available through Marshfield Broadcasting's streaming platforms and online programming.