Two well-known political names are squaring off in Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Scott Fitzgerald is facing Democratic challenger Andy Beck. Voters across the Milwaukee suburbs will settle partisan primary contests on August 11, then choose their representative in the November 3 general election. The district covers much of Waukesha and Washington counties, along with parts of Jefferson and Dodge counties, and it has trended strongly Republican in recent election cycles. Both campaigns are gearing up for a fall fight that national groups are watching closely.
Meet the challenger
Andy Beck, a product developer and former MRI technologist who lives in West Bend, is pitching himself as a working-class Democrat with strong union ties. He is centering his campaign on lowering prescription drug costs, expanding affordable health care, and increasing housing construction. His platform is detailed on Beck for Congress. As reported by WUWM, Beck says he has interviewed with local labor groups including WEAC/NEA, UAW, AFSCME and the AFL-CIO and is awaiting endorsements.
About Rep. Fitzgerald
Scott Fitzgerald is the Republican incumbent for WI-05 who was first elected to Congress in 2020 after a long tenure in the Wisconsin Legislature and is now seeking a fourth term. His official House profile outlines his committee assignments and district offices, including an Oconomowoc office, on Rep. Fitzgerald's official House website. Campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission show Fitzgerald raised roughly $1.06 million in the 2025–26 cycle and had about $1.46 million in cash on hand at the end of March.
Political terrain
The 5th District is a solidly GOP-leaning suburban seat. WUWM reports the district "leans 60 percent Republican" and notes that it includes suburban hubs like Waukesha and West Bend. WUWM also said it sent questionnaires to both campaigns and that Fitzgerald did not respond while Beck did. That partisan tilt gives Fitzgerald a structural advantage, but Democrats see the suburbs and labor organizing as the two clearest paths to narrowing the gap this cycle.
What to watch before the primary
The partisan primary is August 11 and the general election is November 3. Voters can look up registration and absentee-ballot deadlines at MyVote Wisconsin. Labor endorsements, local turnout in Waukesha and Washington counties, and whether outside groups begin running ads will all be key indicators before August. How each campaign spends its summer on the ground and in ads will shape the tone of the fall fight.
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