Democratic Candidate Rebecca Cooke Secures Nomination for Rematch in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District

Rebecca Cooke, a former waitress, small-business owner, and nonprofit founder, has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. This victory sets her up for a rematch with Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Cooke’s win over former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge places her on the ballot in what is considered one of the Democrats’ leading opportunities to regain a House seat this fall.

Cooke, hailing from an Eau Claire-area dairy farm, previously lost to state Sen. Brad Pfaff in the 2022 Democratic primary before securing her party’s nomination in 2024. In her first face-off with Van Orden, Cooke was defeated by approximately 11,000 votes, receiving 48.6% to Van Orden’s 51.4%.

Rebecca Cooke highlighted her working-class roots in her campaign, stemming from her upbringing on a dairy farm and her experience as a waitress.

She founded the Red Letter Grant, which aids women entrepreneurs, managed a small retail business, and was appointed to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Her campaign has emphasized issues like affordability, healthcare, and the economic struggles of rural communities. Cooke positions herself as a pragmatic Democrat capable of appealing across party lines in a district covering Eau Claire, La Crosse, and a significant portion of western Wisconsin.

Entering the primary as a well-funded candidate with national Democratic support, Cooke was part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, which targets competitive districts.

Berge, a mental health counselor, offered herself as a local alternative to Cooke, highlighting the importance of voter choice beyond national party influence. Her primary support came from Eau Claire.

The general election will likely further scrutinize Cooke’s financial disclosures, with Van Orden’s campaign pushing for transparency regarding her income sources, which include political consulting and rental properties, questioning her working-class image.

Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, seeks a third term in a district that has leaned Republican in recent presidential elections. Cooke’s narrow 2024 loss and strong fundraising efforts have marked this race as a focal point in the Democrats’ strategy to reclaim the House majority.

The bipartisan Cook Political Report has reclassified the district from “lean Republican” to “toss up,” reflecting the competitive nature of the upcoming contest.