Immigration a growing issue in Wisconsin congressional race

(The Center Square) - President Joe Biden’s low approval ratings on handling the southern border may affect Democratic candidates who supported his policies, such as Peter Barca.

Recent polls have shown most Wisconsinites negatively view the Biden administration’s immigration policies, The Center Square previously reported .

Peter Barca is running against three-term Republican incumbent Rep. Bryan Steil for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. Steil regularly lambasts the Biden administration’s economic and border policies on social media and has pointed out that Barca fought to protect sanctuary cities in Wisconsin.

Barca served in the state legislature for nearly two decades, and as secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue under current Gov. Tony Evers, who endorsed the candidate.

“Peter Barca has dedicated his career to serving the people of Wisconsin and working to make our communities better and stronger. I’m proud to endorse him in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District,” said Evers, a Democrat.

Barca has focused largely on the economy and jobs, abortion access and Social Security and Medicare in his campaign.

Steil has narrowed in on the economy and inflation, public safety, and national security and immigration in his campaign, all of which are issues he and other Republicans say Biden has handled poorly.

Wisconsin’s southeastern district, which leans Republican but became more competitive under the new congressional maps, has become a major target of Democrats as they seek to flip the House this fall.