Derrick Van Orden

Derrick Van Orden
Born	Derrick Francis Van Orden 15 9, 1969
Birthplace	Hennepin, Minnesota, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, actor, retired U.S. Navy SEAL
Known for	U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district
Education	Excelsior University (BS)
Spouse(s)	Sara Jane Whitelock
Children	4 (1 deceased)
Website	[[vanorden.house.gov vanorden.house.gov] Official site]

Derrick Francis Van Orden (born September 15, 1969) is an American politician, actor, and retired United States Navy SEAL serving as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district since January 3, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Van Orden succeeded longtime Democratic incumbent Ron Kind, who did not seek reelection in 2022. Before entering politics, Van Orden served 26 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring at the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. His military career included service with the Navy SEALs, one of the most elite special operations units in the American armed forces. Following his retirement from the military, Van Orden pursued acting, appearing in several film and television productions. He first ran for Congress in 2020, narrowly losing to Kind, before mounting a successful campaign in 2022. His tenure in Congress has been marked by alignment with former President Donald Trump and involvement in several public controversies, including an incident involving United States Senate pages. As of 2026, Van Orden is seeking reelection in what observers have described as a competitive race.

Early Life

Derrick Francis Van Orden was born on September 15, 1969, in Hennepin, Minnesota, a small city in Hennepin County. Details about his parents and upbringing prior to his military service are limited in publicly available records. Van Orden has spoken publicly about his Midwestern roots and their influence on his values and worldview.

At the age of 18, Van Orden enlisted in the United States Navy in 1988, beginning what would become a 26-year military career. His decision to enter the Navy at a young age shaped the trajectory of his adult life, leading him through extensive training and multiple deployments before he eventually settled in western Wisconsin.

Education

Van Orden earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior University, a distance-learning institution based in Albany, New York. He completed his degree during or after his military service, as is common among members of the armed forces who pursue higher education while serving. Excelsior University, formerly known as Excelsior College, is a regionally accredited institution that has historically served military personnel and working adults seeking to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees through flexible learning formats.

Career

Military Service

Van Orden enlisted in the United States Navy in 1988 and served for 26 years until his retirement in 2014. During his military career, he served as a member of the United States Navy SEALs, the Navy's primary special operations force. He attained the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), a senior enlisted rank reflecting significant experience and leadership responsibility within the Navy's enlisted ranks.

As a Navy SEAL, Van Orden participated in multiple deployments and operations, though the specific details of many of his missions remain classified or otherwise not publicly documented. His service spanned a period that included significant U.S. military engagements, from the end of the Cold War through the War on Terror following the September 11 attacks.

After retiring from active duty in 2014, Van Orden settled in western Wisconsin with his family.

Acting Career

Following his retirement from the Navy, Van Orden pursued a career in acting. He appeared in several film and television productions, securing roles that often drew on his military background and physical presence. His acting credits are documented on the Internet Movie Database. While his acting career did not achieve mainstream prominence, it represented a notable departure from his military background and preceded his entry into electoral politics.

2020 Congressional Campaign

Van Orden first ran for Congress in 2020, seeking to represent Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. He ran as a Republican challenger to incumbent Democratic Representative Ron Kind, who had held the seat since 1997. The 2020 race was competitive, and Van Orden received support from national Republican organizations and figures aligned with then-President Donald Trump.

Despite running a spirited campaign, Van Orden ultimately lost to Kind in the November 2020 general election. The relatively narrow margin of defeat, however, positioned Van Orden as a credible candidate for a future rematch and demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of the district for Republicans.

January 6, 2021

Van Orden was present at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the Capitol breach. His attendance at the rally preceding the breach became a significant issue in his subsequent 2022 campaign. Van Orden stated that he did not enter the Capitol building and was present only at the rally. The Associated Press reported on members of Congress and candidates who were present at or near the Capitol on that day.

2022 Congressional Campaign

When Ron Kind announced he would not seek reelection in 2022, the open seat in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district attracted significant interest from both parties. Van Orden entered the Republican primary and secured the nomination with support from former President Trump and other prominent Republican figures.

In the Democratic primary, State Senator Brad Pfaff won the nomination and became Van Orden's general election opponent.

Van Orden won the November 2022 general election, defeating Pfaff and flipping the seat from Democratic to Republican control. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covered the results of the race, which was one of several competitive House contests in Wisconsin during the 2022 midterm elections. Van Orden's victory marked the first time a Republican had won the 3rd district seat since Steve Gunderson retired in 1997.

Tenure in Congress

Van Orden was sworn in as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district on January 3, 2023, succeeding Ron Kind. He identified his religious affiliation as Roman Catholic, according to a Pew Research Center survey of the religious composition of the 118th Congress.

During his tenure, Van Orden has generally aligned with the Republican Party's positions and has been a supporter of policies associated with former President Donald Trump. In 2026, The Badger Project characterized Van Orden as a "MAGA brawler" who had begun "moderating (slightly)" on certain issues as he faced a competitive reelection campaign, noting that he had "moved to the center on a couple of major issues" despite being "normally synchronized with the president."

Van Orden's voting record and policy positions have drawn scrutiny from Democratic opponents and advocacy groups. In particular, his votes on tariff-related legislation became a focal point of opposition efforts. The advocacy group Opportunity Wisconsin ran advertisements criticizing Van Orden for supporting tariffs that the group claimed were "squeezing Wisconsin small businesses and families." The Wisconsin Democratic Party also criticized both Van Orden and fellow Wisconsin Republican Representative Bryan Steil for their support of tariff policies, claiming these positions increased costs for Wisconsin families. In February 2026, WisPolitics reported that the Supreme Court of the United States struck down tariffs that Van Orden and Steil had voted for, with Opportunity Wisconsin highlighting the ruling in the context of the cost impact on Wisconsin residents.

In January 2026, Van Orden spoke publicly about a shooting in Minnesota involving Alex Pretti, commenting on the incident to local media.

Incident with Senate Pages

In 2023, Van Orden was involved in an incident with United States Senate pages that drew significant media attention and criticism. According to NBC News, Van Orden "screamed curse words inches from Senate pages' faces" in the Capitol. The incident was reported by multiple news outlets and raised questions about congressional conduct and decorum. Senate pages are typically high school juniors who work in the Senate chamber and its surrounding offices. The confrontation reportedly occurred when Van Orden encountered the pages in or near the Capitol and became agitated. The incident contributed to Van Orden's reputation for combative behavior and was cited by opponents and media commentators in discussions of his temperament.

Loaded Gun Incident

Prior to his election to Congress, Van Orden was fined for carrying a loaded gun in an Iowa airport. The La Crosse Tribune reported on the incident, noting that Van Orden, then a congressional candidate, was found with a loaded firearm in his possession while at the airport. The incident was raised by political opponents during the 2022 campaign cycle.

2026 Reelection Campaign

Van Orden is seeking reelection to his seat in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district in 2026. The race has attracted national attention, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) including Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke in its "Red to Blue" program, which provides resources, funding, and strategic support to Democratic candidates in competitive districts. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on the DCCC's inclusion of Cooke in the program in February 2026.

Federal campaign finance data showed that Cooke outraised Van Orden in fundraising, according to a report by Wisconsin Public Radio in early 2026. The same report noted significant spending in the Republican primary to replace outgoing U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany in a neighboring district. Van Orden's campaign filings are publicly available through the Federal Election Commission.

The Badger Project reported in January 2026 that Van Orden had begun moderating some of his positions as the reelection campaign intensified, noting a slight shift toward the center on select issues while remaining broadly aligned with Trump-era Republican policy positions.

Ahead of the 2026 State of the Union address, Opportunity Wisconsin released a report criticizing the voting records of both Van Orden and Steil, arguing that their records contributed to rising costs for Wisconsin families.

Personal Life

Van Orden resides in western Wisconsin with his wife, Sara Jane Whitelock. The couple has four children, one of whom is deceased. Van Orden has spoken publicly about the loss of a child, though specific details remain private. He identifies as Roman Catholic.

Van Orden has publicly invoked the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, telling the La Crosse Tribune that "we need Abraham Lincoln now more than ever," reflecting his stated views on political leadership and national unity.

His military service has been a central element of his public identity, and he has frequently referenced his Navy SEAL background in both his political campaigns and his public statements. Van Orden's transition from a career in special operations to acting and then to politics represents an unusual trajectory among members of Congress, though a growing number of military veterans have sought and won congressional seats in recent election cycles.

Recognition

Van Orden's election in 2022 was notable as the first Republican victory in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district since the late 1990s, when Steve Gunderson held the seat. His campaign received attention from national media outlets and political organizations due to the competitive nature of the race and the broader implications for Republican efforts to win a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

His military service as a Navy SEAL, spanning more than two decades, constitutes a significant element of his public record. The rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer, which Van Orden attained before his retirement in 2014, is held by a relatively small percentage of Navy enlisted personnel and reflects a sustained record of service and responsibility.

Van Orden's activities in Congress, including both his legislative positions and public conduct, have been covered by C-SPAN and other congressional media outlets. His voting record is tracked by Vote Smart and other nonpartisan organizations that monitor congressional activity.