Local
Groups critical of Rep. Van Orden’s lack of in-person meetings, offer opportunity to do so
Two groups criticizing Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s not meeting face-to-face with the public give him the chance to do so next week in La Crosse.
Opportunity Wisconsin and Family Friendly Wisconsin host a town hall meeting on Tuesday. They’ve also invited Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan, who is also critical of his colleague, as a special guest.
Pocan, a Democrat who has represented District 2 since 2013, has another town hall in his district Wednesday in Green County, as well.
Both are liberal groups that advocate for better economic opportunities and policies for working people in the state.
“We believe it’s more important than ever for our Members of Congress to have open and honest conversations with the people they represent,” a statement from the hosting events said. “Unfortunately, Representative Derrick Van Orden has yet to hold an in-person town hall meeting with his constituents.”
Representatives from Opportunity Wisconsin did, however, meet with Van Orden at his Washington office on April 10. In his virtual town hall meeting, the congressman called the meeting a “truly meaningful exchange” despite their political differences which he acknowledged. He said during their hour-long discussion, they did find areas of common ground.
The virtual meeting, however, did not feature Rep. Van Orden taking any questions directly from the public. Instead, one of his staff members read selected questions which he answered.
View the virtual meeting here.
“Whether it’s rising costs, economic uncertainty, or the future of programs like Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP, the decisions made by Congress in the coming weeks will impact the lives of all Wisconsinites, including families and small businesses here in Western Wisconsin,” the group’s statement continued. “Rep. Van Orden’s constituents deserve answers to their questions and concerns.”
The town hall with Pocan will happen at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at the Cappella Performing Arts Center (map). Those who wish to join can register here.
Roy
April 15, 2025 at 9:05 am
More Democrat mischief. Left-wing Pocan needs to stay in his own District or go stay overnight at Tim Walz’ house. Ignore him, Derrick.
GET A JOB
April 15, 2025 at 2:39 pm
Van O is too busy drinking to talk with his supporters in person. Get this alcoholic junky out of office
walden
April 15, 2025 at 2:41 pm
A meeting held by an un-named group supposedly invited our US Rep.
Van Orden should tell the un-named group to piss-off (and the horse they rode in on).
There have been a lot of “outsiders” showing up in La Crosse recently…the various “hands off” (our fraud) protests were organized by Dem operatives from Madison. A prior “town hall” was sponsored by a Dem grifter from Milwaukee, and now we have sleazy Pocan paying a special visit to dish dirt.
Robert
April 15, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Opportunity Wisconsin is a far left organization that puts out false attack adds against Republicans. This is just another fake event so that they can claim that Derek won’t face his constituents. If he accepts the invitation sent after the Congressman’s busy schedule is already set, they’ll just shout him down and yell printed talking points from the paper they’re given.
This is a fake event. Not cool for you to put it out the event like it’s a real thing.
walden
April 15, 2025 at 5:45 pm
What’s sleazier: a) a representative that comes into another district to promote a fake event or b) progressive campaign operatives from outside the district promoting a fake event or c) media that promotes it as a legitimate event?
Hint: There is no wrong answer.
Paul
April 15, 2025 at 9:56 pm
Van Orden is a coward of a marine and won’t even hold a town hall. His virtual ones aren’t allowing anyone to ask questions he doesn’t want to answer. Lapdog for the right and no spine to protect vet’s and farmers what a joke
walden
April 16, 2025 at 11:26 pm
Please see Tampon Tim after class.
Paul
April 17, 2025 at 7:55 am
Great comeback? I will defend DVO being a coward to talk to people if his district or maybe even ability to pass a bill by stating a false claim GOO talking point about the MN governor? He made gender neutral and women’s bathrooms have tampons what a terrible guy! He also had public schools provide breakfast. What a jerk! Guess what I am an angry independent and judge them all by fact not treating this like your echo chamber sports team rivalry. Country’s a mess and now the prez won’t even follow Supreme Court ruling? Guess it’s cool though cause it’s your team
Sam
April 18, 2025 at 11:14 am
Public schools have been providing breakfast since the 1980s at least.
Bill
April 16, 2025 at 4:08 am
This fake “event”, engineered by radical elements of the Democrat party is an insult to the many Democrats I’ve known over the years. Fine, fair people, largely middle-age and older who supported Bill Proxmire, Gaylord Nelson and Tammy Baldwin and who believe in Wisconsin’s tradition of good government and spirited, fair elections.
For Madison Democrat Congressman Mark Pocan to agree to travel to La Crosse in a neighboring district and appear at a crowd of red-faced, fist-pounding zealots for the sole purpose of undermining a fellow member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation is unprecedented political Dirty Tricks and should be disowned and condemned by the Democrats I mentioned.
Tom
April 16, 2025 at 7:19 am
VDO is the hardest working congressman in DC. He was unable to attend the the 3rd Congressional District Caucus on Saturday because he was WAY out of the area (out of the country I believe) attempting to work on a deal for exporting Wisconsin Cheese. While doing that, he made time to speak to the Caucus via a phone call that we could all hear.
Paul
April 16, 2025 at 7:12 pm
This guy must be secretly DVO’s burner account lol
Paul
April 16, 2025 at 8:23 am
Derrick Van Orden is laughable and not a hard worker. He is so far right he can’t work to get anything done. These comments are hilarious you all act like tbe republicans are the party of law and order or GOP never does tricks or sends out scathing attack adds. If you think everything is always a paid secret protestor and people aren’t upset at this mismanaged administration get out of your echo chamber of news
Geo
April 16, 2025 at 2:22 pm
I M O opinion, d v o is a gutless coward. He does not have the courage to stand in front of a crowd and answer real questions from real people.
It seems that he prefers to always take the chickens way out, which is overwhelmingly preferred by the fascist repulsivcans
Voters simply want to ask him: “Are you a man,OR a mouse?”
Sure would be interesting to see his face and hear his reply!
Bill
April 17, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Hey GEO? Here’s what happens when your Democrat operatives plan a surprise at a so-called “Town Hall”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/protester-tased-marjorie-taylor-greene-233746111.html