Derrick Van Orden (WI-3)

Biography

Derrick Van Orden, born on September 15, 1969, in Hennepin, Minnesota, is an American politician, actor, and retired United States Navy SEAL. He currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district, a position he has held since January 3, 2023. Van Orden is a member of the Republican Party.

Raised in rural poverty by his mother, Carol, Van Orden learned the values of hard work and self-reliance early in life. At 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, embarking on a 26-year military career that included five combat deployments. He retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2014.

After his military service, Van Orden pursued various endeavors, including acting roles in films such as "Act of Valor" , "Surviving the Wild" , and "Running with the Devil" . He also co-authored "A Book of Man: A Navy SEAL's Guide to the Lost Art of Manhood." In 2017, he and his wife, Sara Jane, reopened the Butternut Café in Butternut, Wisconsin, aiming to create a community gathering place.

Van Orden resides in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, with his wife. They have four children and several grandchildren.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Excelsior University.

• Political Experience:

  • Republican nominee for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district in 2020; narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Ron Kind.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, succeeding Ron Kind.
  • Re-elected in 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Rebecca Cooke.

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Committee Assignments:

  • Member of the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  • Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

• Legislative Focus:

  • Advocated for the passage of the Farm Bill to support Wisconsin's dairy industry.
  • Emphasized improving healthcare access and reducing costs, particularly for veterans.
  • Supported law enforcement funding and training to ensure community safety.

• Caucus Memberships:

  • Congressional Border Security Caucus.
  • Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus.
  • Congressional Biofuels Caucus.
  • Congressional Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus.
  • Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus.
  • Congressional Motorcycle Caucus.

Van Orden's diverse background in military service, business, and politics informs his approach to representing Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district.