Randy Bryce

Randall John Bryce (born December 9, 1964) [1] is a U.S. Army Veteran, union ironworker, and Democratic Party 2018 congressional candidate for Wisconsin’s First District.[2] Bryce's congressional campaign was the first political campaign to unionize in U.S. history.[3]

Randy Bryce
Personal details
Born
Randall John Bryce

(1964-12-09) December 9, 1964
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Websiteironpac.org
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Rank Sergeant

Bryce emerged as a local, state, and national leader on labor, veterans, and healthcare issues by sharing his own personal story and mobilizing working people in Wisconsin and throughout the country.[4] Randy has spent his life fighting for livable wages, safe workplaces, and fair benefits for working people.

Randy goes by his nickname "IronStache" due to his lifelong career as an ironworker and prominent mustache; a moniker which he adopted in 2011 for Twitter.[5][6]

Early life

Randy was born on December 9, 1964 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] Bryce was raised in Milwaukee by his mother, Nancy and stepfather, Richard, who adopted Bryce at the age of five years old.[7] Bryce's mother is of polish descent and his biological father is from Mexico.[7] His mother worked in a doctor's office and his father was a police officer. His brother is also a police officer and his sister is a teacher in Shorewood, Wisconsin.[8]

Bryce attended Rufus King International High School where he played trombone in the school orchestra.[7] After graduating high school in 1983, Randy enlisted as a soldier in the United States Army.[7]

While enlisted, Randy was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina then deployed to Central America as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps Rapid Deployment Forces. He served as an Active Duty Military Police Officer and earned the Army Achievement Medal in 1985.[9] Bryce was honorably discharged in 1986 with a sergeant ranking.[10]

After returning from the army, Bryce attended college at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee,[11] before taking a leave of absence due to a testicular cancer diagnosis. Randy beat cancer and ultimately ended up pursuing a career in the building trades as a union ironworker.[12]

Political career

2018 Congressional Campaign

On June 18, 2017, Randy announced that he would challenge Paul Ryan, the Republican Speaker of the House, for his seat in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District.[13] The congressional campaign was launched with a widely-watched [14] announcement ad.[15] In the ad, Bryce discusses his cancer diagnosis, his mother's multiple sclerosis, and the associated rising costs of prescription drugs in America.[16] The campaign raised $430,000 in less than two weeks after launching, and Bryce became a national figure overnight.[17]

Randy was originally approached to run for Congress by Marina Dimitrijevic, the Wisconsin Director of the Working Families Party and Wisconsin State Senator, Chris Larson.[18] Bryce ultimately decided to run after attending the Voces de la Frontera May-Day Protest on May 1, 2017.[19] He was inspired by the many fearless DACA recipients at the march,[18] and motivated by Paul Ryan's backpedaling on his stance to create a path to citizenship for DACA recipients.[20]

On April 11, 2018, Paul Ryan announced that he would not seek reelection for the November 2018 election.[21] April 23, 2018, Bryan Steil, former staffer to Paul Ryan announced he would run for his former boss’ seat in Wisconsin’s 1st District.[22]

On August 14, 2018, Randy Bryce won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's First District with 59.6% of the vote.[23] The race was called with 68% of precincts reporting; Randy led by more than 20 points.[24] Bryan Steil won the uncontested Republican primary. The two went on to the November 6, 2018 general election where Bryce was defeated 55% to 42% by Republican Steil.[23]

Bryce noted in his concession speech that “It was about the whole picture. It was about taking back control of Congress. It was about standing up for working people. It was about pointing out the fact that things need to change." [25]

Bryce was endorsed by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden; U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, Tammy Baldwin, and Elizabeth Warren; U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore, Mark Pocan, Ted Lieu, Ruben Gallego, Jimmy Gomez, Jan Schakowsky, Jesús García, Mark Takano, Jerry Nadler, Barbara Lee, Ro Khanna, David Cicilline; Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Julián Castro.[26]

The Communication Workers of America, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Democracy for America, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, End Citizens United, Giffords, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Justice Democrats, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Nurses United, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Service Employees International Union, United Auto Workers, Wisconsin AFL-CIO, the Working Families Party and more.[27]

Additional Races

Bryce ran for Wisconsin State Senate in 2014 in a republican held district. District 21 was one that was dramatically reconfigured to strengthen the GOP's hold on power. Urban parts of the district that were filled with Democratic voters were sliced off, and areas filled with Republican voters were added. What had once been a competitive seat became safely Republican.[28] Despite his best efforts, Bryce earned just 38.39% of the vote with 28,106 votes, and was defeated by his Republican opponent who earned 61.42% of the vote with 44,967 votes.[23]

Bryce also ran for Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012 but was defeated in the primary election.[23]

Political views

Randy has been a staunch advocate for progressive issues across the board such as Medicare for All, the Fight for 15, a Green New Deal, and Workers Rights.

His personal experience with cancer and time spent uninsured in-part inspired his enter into politics.[29] Bryce is in favor of funding programs to fight opioid addiction, and paid medical and family leave.[30] He opposes Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.[16]

Bryce supports the Fight for 15 movement and believes in providing a living wage to those working a full-time job.[31] "The hospital workers, fast food workers, every job has an amount of dignity and there’s no reason people can’t feel proud of what they do to contribute to society,” says Bryce." [32]

Randy is an advocate for environmental sustainability and supports a Green New Deal. He calls for a “massive investment in green infrastructure that would generate tens of thousands of new jobs,” bring an end to fossil-fuel use, and build community resilience.[33]

Bryce is a card carrying member of Ironworkers Local 8 in southeastern Wisconsin. He has organized with workers, marched picket lines, and rallied against Republican assaults on labor rights. Bryce maintains a heart-and-soul faith that working men and women have a right to representation.[34] Bryce's congressional campaign was the first political campaign to unionize in U.S. history.[3]

Randy was an active member of the Act 10 [35] and Right-to-Work protests, along with the repeal of Prevailing Wage.[18] Bryce helped lead the recall Scott Walker operation, which collected one million signatures statewide and successfully recalled the former Governor.[36]

Personal life

Bryce currently resides in Caledonia, Wisconsin, 20 miles south of Milwaukee.[37]

After being told by numerous physicians that he would not be able to have children following experimental testicular cancer treatments,[38] Randy broke the odds and is a proud father to his son, Ben Bryce, who also lives in Caledonia.[39]

Randy founded the political action committee, Iron PAC, in 2019 following his 2018 congressional run. Bryce's PAC supports pro-labor, working-class candidates running for office across the country.[40]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2012)
Wisconsin Assembly, 62nd District Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election[41]
Republican Tom Weatherston 5,775 76.88%
Democratic Melissa Lemke 1,202 16.00%
Democratic Randy Bryce 522 6.95%
Write-ins 27 0.09%
Total votes '1,039' '100.0%'
General Election[42]
Republican Tom Weatherston 17,045 53.05%
Democratic Melissa Lemke 15,054 46.85%
Write-ins 31 0.10%
Total votes '32,130' '100.0%' +65.29%
Republican gain from Democratic

Wisconsin Senate (2014)
Wisconsin Senate, 21st District Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election[43]
Republican Van H. Wanggaard 44,967 61.42% +11.96%
Democratic Randy Bryce 28,106 38.39% -12.15%
Independent Bill Thompkins 34 0.05%
Write-ins 106 0.14%
Total votes '73,213' '100.0%' +1.79%
Republican gain from Democratic

U.S. House (2018)
U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin 1st District Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election[44]
Democratic Randy Bryce 36,406 30.06%
Republican Bryan Steil 30,885 25.50%
Democratic Cathy Myers 24,699 20.39%
Republican Nick Polce 8,948 7.39%
Republican Paul Nehlen 6,638 5.48%
Republican Kevin Adam Steen 6,262 5.17%
Republican Jeremy Ryan 6,226 5.14%
Republican Brad Boivin 924 0.76%
Write-ins 136 0.11%
Total votes '121,124' '100.0%'
General Election[45]
Republican Bryan Steil 177,492 54.56%
Democratic Randy Bryce 137,508 42.27%
Independent Ken Yorgan 10,006 3.08%
Independent Joseph Kexel 7 0.00%
Write-ins 304 0.09%
Total votes '325,317' '100.0%'
Republican hold

References
  1. Gunn, Erik (October 1, 2018). "What Randy Bryce Built". Progressive.org. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. Price, Lillian. "Democrat and iron worker Randy Bryce challenges Paul Ryan for Congress". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  3. Jilani, Zaid JilaniRyan GrimZaid; GrimFebruary 15, 2018, Ryan; P.m, 4:32. "Randy Bryce Becomes First Congressional Candidate Whose Staff Unionized — and He Wants Congressional Staff Unionized, Too". The Intercept. Retrieved January 8, 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Dohms-Harter, Elizabeth (August 8, 2018). "Health Care Would Be Primary Focus For Cancer Survivor Running For 1st Congressional District". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  5. Mascaro, Lisa. "Meanwhile, a Democratic union worker known as 'IronStache' on Twitter makes a bid for Paul Ryan's Wisconsin seat". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. "Randy Bryce Twitter".
  7. Kaufman, Dan. "The Fall of Wisconsin and the Rise of Randy Bryce". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  8. Mettler, Katie (June 21, 2017). "This union ironworker wants Paul Ryan's job. He's got a great ad but a losing record". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  9. June 28; Pm, 2017-1:36. "Democracy for America : Democracy for America Endorses Randy Bryce to Replace Paul Ryan". www.democracyforamerica.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. "Ironworker Randy Bryce announces run against Paul Ryan in 2018 with ad that's making Democrats cheer". Washington Examiner. June 20, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  11. "The Fall of Wisconsin and the Rise of Randy Bryce".
  12. Sonia Moghe (April 12, 2018). "Meet 'Iron Stache,' the Democrat running to replace Paul Ryan in Wisconsin". CNN Digital. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  13. Kaufman, Dan. "The Fall of Wisconsin and the Rise of Randy Bryce". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  14. Moore, Jack (June 26, 2017). "An Interview with Randy Bryce, the Wisconsin Iron Worker Who Wants to Bring Down Paul Ryan". GQ. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  15. "Randy Bryce for Congress Campaign Announcement - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  16. Jones, Sarah (June 22, 2017). ""I'm A Working Person. That's My Life": A Q&A with Paul Ryan Challenger Randy Bryce". New Republic. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  17. Murphy, Tim. "Can "the Iron Stache" really take down Paul Ryan?". Mother Jones. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  18. Gunn, Erik (September 28, 2017). "Can blue-collar progressive Randy Bryce topple Paul Ryan?". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  19. "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel". www.jsonline.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  20. Bade, Rachael. "Ryan rejects effort to force DACA vote". POLITICO. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  21. Schwartz, Jacob Pramuk,Brian (April 11, 2018). "House Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election". CNBC. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  22. "Former Ryan Staffer Bryan Steil To Run for Former Boss' Seat". Roll Call. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  23. "Randy Bryce". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. Golshan, Tara (August 14, 2018). "Randy "Ironstache" Bryce wins Democratic nomination to flip Paul Ryan's House seat". Vox. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. Gunn, Erik (November 7, 2018). "Randy Bryce, in Defeat, Looks at the "Whole Picture"". Progressive.org. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  26. "Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District election (August 14, 2018 Democratic primary)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  27. "Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District election (August 14, 2018 Democratic primary)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  28. Schultz, Dale. "Renewed Calls For Patriotism Over Politics When Drawing District Lines". NPR.org. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  29. DePiero, Leah. "Ironworker announces run against Paul Ryan in 2018 with ad that's making Democrats cheer". Washington Examiner. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  30. "Where does Randy 'Ironstache' Bryce stand on policy?". The Daily Dot. October 1, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  31. Cullerton, Brendan (September 4, 2017). "Hundreds rally for higher wages on Labor Day". CBS58. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  32. "Hundreds rally for higher wages on Labor Day". CBS58. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  33. Carlock, Greg; McElwee, Sean (September 18, 2018). "Why the Best New Deal Is a Green New Deal". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  34. Nichols, John (February 12, 2018). "Randy Bryce's Campaign Is Not Just Pro-Union—It's Unionized". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  35. "Meet Randy Bryce, 1st Congressional District Candidate". Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant, WI Patch. August 1, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  36. Journal, CLAY BARBOUR and MARY SPICUZZA | Wisconsin State. "Organizers file more than 1 million signatures to recall Walker". madison.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  37. "Caledonia Location".
  38. Murphy, Tim (November 1, 2017). "Can "the Iron Stache" Really Take Down Paul Ryan?". Mother Jones. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  39. "Randy Bryce Campaign for Congress".
  40. "IRON PAC | We're building a Congress for working people". ironpac.org. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  41. Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 14, 2012. p. 47. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  42. Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 6, 2012. p. 23. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  43. Canvass Results for 2014 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 4, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  44. Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primar (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 14, 2018. pp. 9, 10. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  45. Canvass Results for 2018 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 6, 2018. p. 3. Retrieved March 26, 2019.

Further reading
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