69����

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican from Janesville, was elected in 2018. Steil has said he’s running again. He’ll face Republican challenger Connor Walleck, from Salem, in the Republican primary on Aug. 11, 2026.

Casiano joins what so far is a 5-way Democratic primary shaping on the Aug. 11, 2026, ballot.

“I’m running for Congress in the first District as a Democrat and against Brian Steil,” Casiano announced during a UAW rally on Friday in support of striking Mercyhealth workers. He said Steil has not served his constituents well.

“He’s let down the rural communities, the farmers, he’s let down the workers,” Casiano said.

Casiano also questioned Steil’s loyalties, pointing out his campaign funding.

“You can see where 40% of all the money he gets for his campaign comes from — bankers and insurance companies. So, who is he working for? It’s not us.”Casiano said Friday was his public announcement that he’d joined the campaign and he said he’d received strong community support.

“People are like, ‘yeah, let me know. I’ll volunteer. What do we need to do?”” he said.

He said he’ll begin campaign work in earnest soon, after his immediate UAW duties conclude in support of Mercyhealth East workers.

“We’re going to settle this contract, I believe, in the next week or so and then I will focus on the race,” he said.

Other Democrats who have said they’re running in 2026 for the 1st District seat, who will face off in the August primary, include Gage Stills from Racine, Miguel Aranda from Whitewater, Mitchell Berman from Raymond and Randy Bryce from Caledonia.

Winners of the Republican and Democratic primaries will move on to the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm election.

Also on the ballot is Adam Follmer, an Independent from St. Francis.

Candidates have until June 1, 2026, to officially join the race.

A spokesperson for Steil’s campaign said Friday that “as yet another political activist enters the race, to compete over whose platform is more out-of-touch, Wisconsin families know that Congressman Steil is focused on the issues that matter most - lowering costs, making our communities safer, and protecting our seniors.”

“Congressman Steil is running for reelection and will win, just like last cycle when out-of-state dark money groups spent millions on Peter Barca, and Steil still won by more than 10 points," the spokesperson said.