Representative Tony Wied (R-WI-08)

Note: This analysis uses AI to help identify potential outreach strategies for space science issues. Because it uses AI, it is important to understand the sources and limitations of this analysis. Space-related committee assignments (if present), and additional sources (if present), are from congress.gov and a direct output of a targeted web search. Opportunities, challenges, overall summary, and preparation recommendations are products of AI analyses. The biography uses AI to summarize key aspects of the member's Wikipedia page. All AI-generated claims, assessments, and recommendations should be independently verified. This is an experimental feature, and intended to provide guidance and inspiration for outreach strategies for your meeting. Feedback is welcome: casey.dreier@planetary.org.

Overall Summary

Representative Wied's campaign platform emphasizes protecting U.S. innovation and ensuring American technological leadership, which generally aligns with the goals of NASA's science missions. His demonstrated willingness to engage in bipartisan legislative efforts also suggests an openness to collaboration. Advocates could highlight how NASA science drives cutting-edge technologies and delivers a strong return on investment, potentially resonating with his focus on fiscal responsibility and efficient government spending.

However, several factors indicate a challenging environment for advocating increased NASA science funding. Representative Wied lacks a professional background in STEM or space, does not hold space-related committee assignments, and his district has received no NASA science contracts or grants in recent years, limiting direct local economic incentives. His strong emphasis on reigning in government spending and prioritizing issues like border security and inflation may make him particularly scrutinizing of discretionary federal budgets, including the proposed FY2026 NASA science budget.

Preparation Recommendations

• Consider highlighting how NASA's space science investments drive broader U.S. innovation and technological leadership, demonstrating how these programs offer a strong return on taxpayer investment by fostering new industries and maintaining American competitiveness.
• Explore sharing personal stories from constituents in WI-08 about how NASA science has inspired them, their children, or contributed to their education and career aspirations, even without direct local contracts.
• Look into emphasizing how NASA science initiatives contribute to American technological preeminence and can be framed as a fiscally responsible investment that garners bipartisan support, aligning with his interest in efficient government and collaborative efforts.

About Tony Wied

• Graduated from Notre Dame Academy (1994) and St. Norbert College (1998).
• Owned and operated Dino Stop, a chain of gas and convenience stores.
• Sold his convenience store business in 2022 prior to congressional service.
• No public record found of military service or STEM/space-related professional background.

Opportunities

• Support for U.S. Innovation: Representative Wied's campaign platform emphasizes "Protecting US Innovation" and ensuring that "innovators should have the ability to create, build, and operate cutting-edge technologies here in the United States of America." This general support for advanced technology aligns with NASA's science mission. (Tony Wied for Congress, 2024)

• Advocacy for American Technological Leadership: He has expressed a desire for the United States to "lead the world in the development of crypto and blockchain technology," indicating a broader interest in American preeminence in advanced technological sectors, which can encompass space science. (Tony Wied for Congress, 2024)

• Demonstrated Bipartisan Collaboration: Representative Wied has shown a willingness to engage in bipartisan legislative efforts, co-sponsoring bills with members from both parties on issues relevant to his constituents and national recognition. This includes the "Go Pack Go Act" with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), directly benefiting his Wisconsin constituents. (Congressman Tony Wied, 2025-09; Congressman Tony Wied, 2025-03)

• Emphasis on Fiscal Responsibility and Efficiency: While advocating for reduced government spending, Representative Wied's focus on eliminating "waste, fraud, and abuse" suggests an openness to programs that can demonstrate efficient use of taxpayer dollars and strong returns on investment, which could be a point of engagement for well-managed NASA science initiatives. (Fox11Online, 2025-02; NewsNation Live, 2025-03)

Challenges

• Lack of STEM/space professional background: Representative Wied's professional background is in business, with no public record found of military service or STEM/space-related experience, which may limit his inherent advocacy for space science. (Biography)
• No space-related committee assignments: Representative Wied does not hold any current space-related committee assignments in the 119th Congress, limiting his direct legislative influence on NASA science policy and funding. (Space Committees)
• Limited local economic ties to NASA: There are no relevant NASA Science Mission Directorate contracts or grants identified for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district, reducing direct local economic incentives for increased NASA science investment. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
• Emphasis on fiscal conservatism and reduced government spending: Representative Wied's campaign platform highlights "reigning in out-of-control government spending" and "reducing the size of government," which could lead to scrutiny of discretionary federal budgets, including NASA science. (Tony Wied for Congress, 2024)
• Focus on competing priorities: His public statements and legislative focus emphasize issues such as border security, inflation, and local infrastructure, indicating these may take precedence over advocating for increased NASA science funding. (Tony Wied for Congress, 2024; Congressman Tony Wied - House.gov, 2025)