U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Ohio and Wisconsin on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to visit defense manufacturing facilities two weeks before the midterm elections. During the trip, Hegseth spoke at Riverside Machine and Engineering in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he appeared with Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI). Hegseth praised Van Orden as a "steadfast supporter" and highlighted his background as a Navy SEAL.
The visit took place as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress during an election cycle where polling shows public dissatisfaction with the ongoing war in Iran. A September Marquette Law School poll found that 73% of registered Wisconsin voters said the war was not worth the cost. Van Orden, who is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Rebecca Cooke, acknowledged in a debate earlier that day that the war makes the election "exponentially harder" for Republicans, though he maintained the effort is worth the political cost.
In Ohio, Hegseth toured the Sierra Nevada Corporation’s facility in Dayton to view the development of the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, intended to replace the aging fleet of E-4B aircraft. Hegseth advocated for a $1.5 trillion defense budget request, arguing that large-scale federal contracts provide stability for manufacturers and high-paying jobs for American workers. He also stated that the Department of Defense aims to pass a clean audit by the end of the president's second term.
The visit affects federal contractors, small-business owners, and manufacturing workers in the Midwest. In 2023, Wisconsin ranked 30th nationally in defense contracts. Hegseth stated that the administration is seeking a $1.5 trillion investment to modernize the military industrial base. Workers at small firms like Riverside, which produces precision components for the F-35 and radar systems, are told to expect more predictable, long-term contracts intended to scale domestic production.
For voters in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, the appearance highlights the role of foreign policy in the upcoming election. Democrats attribute fluctuating gas and grocery prices to the war in Iran. The visit also raises questions regarding the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities. Hegseth has faced previous ethics complaints from the group Steady State for similar appearances in Iowa and Kentucky, where he supported Republican candidates. While the Pentagon stated the secretary attended previous events in a personal capacity, critics argue these tours function as official campaign support.
The immediate outcome of the trip is the continued prioritization of the "Arsenal of Freedom" tour to promote domestic manufacturing. The E-4C planes viewed in Dayton are currently undergoing test activities, with a $13 billion contract awarded to Sierra Nevada Corporation to replace aircraft that are more than 50 years old. Voters will decide the outcome of the contested House and Senate races on Election Day, November 3, 2026. Legislative focus will also remain on the $1.5 trillion budget request and the proposed establishment of a four-star Autonomous Warfare Command.