Bryce Releases Statement on Ryan’s Kenosha County Campaign Stop

RACINE, WI – This evening, Speaker Ryan is scheduled to speak at the Republican Party of Kenosha County‘s Lincoln Day Dinner. Ahead of the event, Democratic congressional challenger Randy Bryce released a statement, criticizing Ryan’s inaction on opioids for affecting the County. Last month, a bipartisan coalition called on the Speaker to dedicate more funds to combatting the opioid crisis in light of the President’s declaration of a public health emergency. Kenosha County has seen six suspected overdose deaths in the last two weeks, and the County is currently suing opioid manufacturers for the personal devastation and fiscal strain the opioid crisis has caused the County’s residents.

“It is unacceptable that Speaker Ryan has not only failed to designate significant new resources to the opioid crisis following the President’s declaration of a public health emergency, but that he also continues to take campaign contributions from irresponsible pharmaceutical corporations. Paul Ryan is no longer looking out for the Wisconsin families and communities who are trying to fight back against this crisis, he is looking out for the donors and lobbyists he’s seen every day in Washington for last two decades in office.”

In a report filed this week with the Federal Election Commission, opioid manufacturer Allergan disclosed that it donated $2,500 to Team Ryan, Paul Ryan’s joint fundraising committee, last month. Team Ryan also accepted $5,000. the federal maximum contribution, from Allegran in 2017. Allergan is currently being investigated by 41 state Attorneys General for marketing and distributing their products illegally. The overprescription of opioids and misleading statements by pharmaceutical manufacturers like Allergan have been identified as a leading cause of the opioid crisis.

Bryce is accepting no contributions from corporate PACs in his campaign for Congress. Paul Ryan has been the third largest recipient of donations from the pharmaceutical industry, collecting nearly $300,000 in the 2017-2018 election cycle to date.

About Randy Bryce

Randy Bryce is a U.S. Army veteran, cancer survivor, and union ironworker. He was raised in southeastern Wisconsin, and went to public schools. Randy’s father was a police officer, and his mother worked in a doctor’s office. After graduation, Randy enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was posted to Honduras, where he earned the Army Achievement Medal. After returning stateside, Randy was diagnosed with cancer, which he survived, but only after struggling through the bankruptcy that came with the medical bills. Once in remission, Randy found his way to an apprenticeship as an iron worker, a trade he’s now been practicing and fighting to protect from anti-labor laws for nearly 20 years. Randy currently resides in Caledonia, WI with his son, Ben, who attends public schools like his dad. Randy joined the race for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District in Summer 2017.

Randy Bryce for Congress