Peter Barca, a seasoned Democratic politician, has officially announced his candidacy to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. This move sets the stage for a closely watched race in the southeastern corner of Wisconsin in the upcoming election. Barca, a 68-year-old Kenosha native and former congressman and state Assembly leader, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He formally launched his campaign with a promise to bring leadership and bipartisan cooperation back to what he describes as a “do-nothing, dysfunctional Congress.”
Barca’s decision to run comes after he expressed consideration for the position in late March, stating to the Journal Sentinel his concerns about the current state of Congress and the need for effective leadership. He emphasized his proven track record of working across party lines and delivering results for his community, highlighting the urgency of this moment.
More on the Race: Democrat Peter Barca to challenge Bryan Steil in 1st Congressional District
While other prominent Democrats, such as former Assembly leader Mike Sheridan, considered entering the race, Barca’s official entry solidifies him as a significant contender. He joins Lorenzo Santos and Diane Anderson, who had previously announced their candidacies for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 13, with the general election to follow on November 5.
As Peter Barca steps into the spotlight to challenge Bryan Steil, understanding his extensive political history, educational background, and the district he aims to represent becomes crucial. Let’s delve into the key aspects of Peter Barca’s profile.
Peter Barca’s Extensive Tenure in the Wisconsin State Legislature
Peter Barca’s career in the Wisconsin State Legislature is marked by two significant periods of service in the State Assembly. His initial tenure spanned from 1985 to 1993, followed by a return from 2009 to 2019. During his second stint, Barca held the influential position of Assembly Minority Leader from 2011 to 2017, as documented by the Wisconsin Blue Book.
Serving as the Assembly Minority Leader meant Barca was at the helm of the Democratic caucus during a politically charged era, notably when Act 10, a controversial bill impacting public sector collective bargaining, was passed. In a notable effort to oppose the bill, Barca spearheaded a continuous floor debate lasting over 60 hours, though ultimately unsuccessful in preventing its passage.
His leadership role concluded amidst internal party pressures. A key point of contention was Barca’s vote in favor of a substantial $3 billion incentive package for the Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn. This decision, along with concerns regarding the caucus’s overall effectiveness, led to calls for a change in leadership.
Further Reading: The day Scott Walker ‘dropped the bomb’: 10 years later, Act 10 maintains a firm grip on Wisconsin government
Peter Barca’s Congressional Experience: A Previous Term in the House
Interestingly, Peter Barca is not new to the U.S. House of Representatives. He previously represented the same 1st Congressional District from 1993 to 1995. His initial entry into Congress was through a special election triggered by Wisconsin congressman Les Aspin’s departure to become defense secretary under President Clinton’s administration. Information about Les Aspin can be found on the congressional biography website.
Barca successfully won the special election to succeed Aspin. However, his tenure was relatively short-lived as he faced a tough reelection battle in 1994 against Republican Mark Neumann and was narrowly defeated. Both the special election victory and the subsequent reelection loss were characterized by extremely tight margins, with the results differing by less than one percentage point.
In 2019, when former House Speaker Paul Ryan decided not to seek reelection, Barca opted to return to the state Assembly instead of vying for the congressional seat again, as reported by Kenosha News. His current campaign marks his renewed interest in serving in Congress.
Beyond the Legislature: Peter Barca’s Diverse Public Service Roles
Prior to announcing his run for Congress, Peter Barca held a significant position in Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration, leading the state Department of Revenue. His appointment and subsequent departure on March 28, as announced by Governor Evers’ office (official announcement), directly preceded his decision to enter the congressional race, which he declared just a day later.
As Revenue Secretary, Barca played a key role in negotiating and implementing major bipartisan legislative compromises. These included a significant overhaul of Wisconsin’s alcohol industry regulations and an increase in shared revenue for local governments, demonstrating his ability to work effectively across the political aisle.
Adding to his diverse experience in public service, Barca also served in the Clinton administration for approximately five years as the Midwest regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Peter Barca’s Background Outside of Politics: From International Development to Education
Peter Barca’s professional life extends beyond the realm of elected politics and government administration. Following his federal government service, he transitioned into the field of international development, spending roughly a decade as the vice president and later president of Aurora Associates International. This project management company focused on initiatives aimed at international development around the globe.
According to an alumni profile from UW-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs, Barca’s early career also involved working with children with special needs as the director of the Friendship Camp.
A 1984 Kenosha News article further reveals that early in his career, Barca gained experience as a newspaper distribution manager and also worked as a teacher within the Kenosha Unified School District.
Bipartisan Respect and Republican Perspectives on Peter Barca
A notable aspect of Peter Barca’s political career is the bipartisan respect he has garnered over the years. This unusual level of cross-party praise could become a talking point in the upcoming campaign.
When Barca stepped down from his Assembly leadership position, Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard of Racine publicly acknowledged him as “a rare breed in Madison, a politician who can disagree and advocate for his position without being disagreeable.” Similarly, former Republican Governor Scott Walker once described Barca as a “straight shooter” despite their political differences.
Even Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, offered positive remarks when Governor Evers appointed Barca as revenue secretary, stating that the governor “finally got one right” by choosing a “reasonable Democrat who is more than willing to work across the aisle.”
However, not all Republicans share this positive view. Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner voiced his opposition to Barca’s 2024 run, citing Barca’s past opposition to a 2016 state bill related to sanctuary cities.
The Republican Party of Wisconsin also released a statement (GOP release) suggesting that Barca’s return to Kenosha politics after time in Madison “would be a mistake” and that “a lot has changed in Kenosha since he first entered politics forty years ago.”
In response to such concerns, Barca has stated his commitment to addressing key issues, including immigration at the southern border, economic challenges, workforce development, and healthcare access for women and seniors.
Peter Barca’s Roots in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District
Peter Barca’s connection to Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District is deeply rooted. According to his official bio on the Department of Revenue’s website (DOR bio), he is a “lifelong citizen of Kenosha and Somers.” He is a graduate of Kenosha Bradford High School and his life has been centered in this region.
Both Kenosha and Somers are integral parts of Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. This southeastern district is recognized as one of the most competitive House districts in Wisconsin.
Bryan Steil, the incumbent seeking his fourth term, has not faced a strong challenger in recent elections and secured a comfortable victory in 2022 with 54% of the vote (election results). Barca’s entry into the race is anticipated to make the 2024 election significantly more competitive.
Read More: Outside a gas station, Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil hopes to win over a Democratic city
Educational Background: Peter Barca’s Academic Achievements
Peter Barca’s academic background reflects a strong commitment to public service and policy. His legislative bio indicates he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He further pursued graduate studies at UW-Madison, obtaining a master’s degree in public administration and educational administration. Additionally, Barca undertook graduate-level studies at the prestigious Harvard University.
The UW-Madison alumni profile also highlights Barca’s self-proclaimed interest in mathematics, describing him as a “self-proclaimed math geek.”
Family Life: Peter Barca’s Personal Connections
Peter Barca is married and has a family with two adult children. His son is a graduate of Fordham University, and his daughter is an alumna of UW-Madison, according to his biographical information.
Barca’s father, also named Peter, was a local Kenosha businessman, owning and operating a conveyor belt distributing company and two restaurants in Kenosha, as detailed in his obituary published in the Kenosha News.
Lawrence Andrea contributed to this report.
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