What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
The race to represent Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District—a sprawling territory covering 20 counties from the shores of Lake Superior down through the heart of the Northwoods—just got more crowded. With Tom Tiffany stepping away from his House seat to run for governor, local candidates are lining up for a shot at representing one of the largest districts in the state.
Kevin Hermening, a Wausau-area financial advisor with four decades of experience, announced he’s throwing his hat in the ring. His pitch? The district needs someone who understands balance sheets as well as they understand what keeps Northwoods families up at night.
For folks in Eagle River, Rhinelander, or Hayward, this isn’t just another political race. It’s about who’ll fight for communities where the nearest city might be an hour away and federal decisions on everything from veteran services to broadband access can make or break daily life.
Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District isn’t your average political boundary. Covering 18,787 square miles, it stretches from the shores of Lake Superior down through counties like Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, and Iron—basically the entire upper third of the state.
That’s a lot of ground to cover. Towns like Three Lakes, Presque Isle, and Hurley all fall within its borders.
The district includes parts of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, countless lakes that draw millions of tourists each summer, and communities where forestry and manufacturing still anchor the economy. Median household income runs about $55,000—below the state average—and residents skew older than the Wisconsin norm.
Since redistricting in 2011, the seat has leaned Republican. Democrat David Obey held it for decades until 2010, when the political winds shifted. Sean Duffy won that year and held it until 2019. Tiffany took over in a 2020 special election and has represented the area since.
Hermening’s background sets him apart from typical political newcomers. Forty years helping people in Marathon County plan their retirement and manage their money gives him a front-row seat to the financial pressures facing families across the region.
He’s heard the worries firsthand: Will retirement savings last? Can young couples afford to buy their first home when prices keep climbing?
“I hear the worries that people are worried they won’t have money to last their whole life. We don’t have a lot of fiscal responsibility in Washington.”
His platform zeroes in on fiscal accountability—something he says Washington sorely lacks. From his perspective, decades of overspending and mismanagement have left seniors vulnerable and young families priced out of the housing market.
Hermening also touches on cultural issues that resonate in small-town Wisconsin: border security, rooting out government fraud, and local control over schools. He’s positioning himself as someone who’ll stand firm on community values while bringing financial expertise to budget debates.
The Northwoods might feel far from D.C., but congressional representation shapes everyday life in ways folks don’t always see. Federal funding for rural broadband, veterans’ healthcare access, agricultural supports—all of it flows through decisions made by whoever holds this seat.
Consider what’s at stake for local economies. Tourism brings an estimated 2.5 million visitors annually to towns like Hayward and Eagle River. Federal policies on environmental protection, forest management, and Great Lakes conservation directly impact that industry.
Manufacturing and forestry jobs—the backbone of many Northwoods communities—depend on trade policies and regulations crafted in Washington. When Congress debates infrastructure spending, rural areas often get overlooked unless they have strong voices at the table.
Hermening argues his financial background will help him fight for the district’s fair share. Whether that resonates with voters in August remains to be seen, but the competitive primary suggests folks are paying attention.
Hermening enters as the fifth Republican candidate in the race, making the August 11th primary a genuine contest. With no clear frontrunner and Tiffany’s endorsement yet to materialize, candidates will need to distinguish themselves quickly.
The district’s Republican lean (rated R+7 on the Cook Partisan Voting Index) means the primary winner likely has the inside track to the general election. That puts extra weight on these summer months of campaigning across two dozen counties.
For a guy who’s spent his career in one community, Hermening faces the challenge of introducing himself to voters from Superior to Merrill. His “I’m not running to be someone—I’m running to do something” message aims to cut through typical political posturing.
The coming months will test whether Hermening’s local roots and financial expertise can overcome the name recognition and resources other candidates might bring. Voters in places like Rhinelander and Washburn will get plenty of chances to size up their options at town halls and fish fries.
This race also offers a window into what Northwoods communities care about most right now. Are pocketbook issues like inflation and retirement security the top concern? Do cultural battles over schools and borders dominate? Or will voters prioritize someone who simply promises to show up and fight for rural Wisconsin?
The district has seen significant turnover in recent years—three representatives since 2019. Whoever wins will inherit a constituency that stretches from Lake Superior’s rocky shores to the pine forests around Eagle River, from Wausau’s river valley to the farm country near Chippewa Falls.
That’s a lot of territory, a lot of voices, and a lot of communities counting on their next representative to understand what makes the Northwoods tick. Hermening’s betting his four decades as a neighbor and advisor have prepared him for exactly that challenge.
As summer approaches and the primary heats up, keep an eye on this race. The person who emerges from the August primary will shape federal policy for the region through some critical years ahead.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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