MADISON, Wis. — U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden said he believes the war in Iran is necessary, while acknowledging that the conflict could hurt Republicans’ chances of keeping control of Congress. Van Orden, a Republican seeking reelection in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, discussed the war in an interview with Elly Laliberte, host of the program “For the Record.” The interview was scheduled to air Sunday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m., according to the program’s listing. “It would be much easier for Republicans to maintain the House and the Senate if we weren’t involved in this conflict in Iran,” Van Orden said. He argued, however, that the United States must address an issue that, in his words, has persisted for half a century. Asked directly whether the conflict was necessary, he said he believes it is. Van Orden is facing a rematch against Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke. The race is one of a relatively small number of congressional contests that could help determine which party controls the U.S. House. Laliberte interviewed Cooke the previous week. Van Orden’s comments put a potential electoral cost alongside his defense of the conflict, but the interview excerpts provided no further detail about his reasoning, the war’s objectives or its consequences for Wisconsin residents.