PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (WKBT) — The Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District says his opponent’s character is unfit for office.
Democratic candidate Brad Pfaff made that claim of Republican opponent Derrick Van Orden Wednesday at the Prairie du Chien library, the site where last year, Van Orden reportedly shouted at a library page over a gay pride display.
As News 8 Now previously reported, the library page said Van Orden got angry while saying the books on display offended him, and the page said she felt threatened and uncomfortable.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Pfaff says Van Orden’s outburst means the Republican lacks the necessary qualities of a Congressman.
“I think Derrick Van Orden’s temperament, his character, and his judgment were on full display in June of 2021, and unfortunately, a teenage librarian aid and her supervisor at this public library [bore] the brunt of that,” said Pfaff. “And we can do better.”
Wisconsin 2nd District representative Mark Pocan joined Pfaff Wednesday and echoed similar sentiments.
Van Orden responded to Pfaff’s press conference, writing:
“I fully support equality for all Americans and have demonstrated this through decades of protecting as a Navy SEAL but unlike Brad Pfaff, I do not support biological males competing in sports against biological females. Today’s stunt is an attempt to distract from Biden and Pfaff’s radical agenda that is taking money of out your pockets and making it harder for families to get by.”
