national opinion.

>> All right.

Charles Franklin, thank you so much for being here.

Thank you.

The eighth Congressional District in Wisconsin is gearing up for a special election following Mike Gallagher's departure as a Aditi Debnath reports, three Republicans are vying for the primary nomination in August to face the sole Democratic candidate in November's general election.

people here in northeast Wisconsin, great Republicans running, and Roger Rath served 12 years in the state legislature, including as Senate president, until stepping aside in 2023.

I think it's important that we have someone from northeast Wisconsin, blue colla, worked with their hands, understands how decisions out there, how they impact families here in northeast Wisconsin, state Senator André Jacque served 14 years in the state legislature and currently represents part of northeast Wisconsin in the state Senate.

>> He's running on his record of bipartisan cooperation.

>> Everybody is going to tell you what you want to hear at election time.

I'm the guy that means it.

outside his Senate district due to redistricting, emphasizes his experience tackling issues like government spending.

>> I bear the scars of having, you know, spoken my conscience and fought for my constituents.

>> Both Jack and Rath bring to the table years of experience in the state legislature.

Tony Wied, a political outsider and former business owner, sees his lack of political experience as an asset.

Tony Wied did not respond to multiple requests for an interview.

However, in an audio interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, he said this I have that real world experience of actually operating things and growing and building businesses, and I can actually go and make a difference.

The three Republicans share common ground on issues like inflation.

>> Federal government has to stop spending money.

at the baseline expenditure.

Line item and, and basically, get into zero based budgeting and border security.

Really the first thing is we have to have a vetting and an orderly process for anybody that's looking to come into the country.

>> We need to build the border wall.

>> Each candidate has their unique selling points.

Wied touts his endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

>> I'm very proud.

The only candidate endorsed by President Trump in this race.

This is an honor of a lifetime.

>> Senator Jack highlights his endorsements from law enforcement and pro-life conservative credentials.

really from the taxpayers perspective, eliminating any abortion.

I've done that systematically at the state level.

They're actually far more that exists at the federal level.

Governor Scott Walker, wants to make it mandatory for public employees to work in person.

>> It's time we brought civil service reform to Washington.

I will take that issue that I worked on and was able to get through with Governor Scott this race.

I'll be able to go and make strong advances on that issue on day one.

>> Despite Trump's endorsement of Wied, both Roth and Jack remain confident in their campaigns.

have their endorsements.

I don't know how much weight that in particular has.

given some bad information, but at the end of the day, he supports winners.

We're going to win this election.

>> The primary election is set >> The primary election is set