Rebecca Cooke has secured the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, preparing for a rematch against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Cooke, with roots on a dairy farm near Eau Claire, has a varied background, having worked as a waitress and founded the Red Letter Grant to support women entrepreneurs.
Cooke’s win over Emily Berge, a mental health counselor and former Eau Claire City Council President, positions her for a third attempt at the congressional seat in western Wisconsin. In the 2022 Democratic primary, Cooke lost to Brad Pfaff but later won the party’s 2024 nomination. Van Orden edged her out in a tight race, securing 51.4% of the vote to Cooke’s 48.6%.
Cooke’s campaign emphasizes affordability, healthcare, and economic issues in rural communities. Her working-class upbringing and business experience are central to her message. National Democrats have backed Cooke by adding her to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s ‘Red to Blue’ program, which supports viable candidates in competitive districts.
Berge offered a local option for voters, underscoring the importance of local involvement rather than national party influence. Despite her bid, Cooke maintained a financial advantage and broad support among Democrats.
The general election will scrutinize Cooke’s past financial decisions and political work. Van Orden’s campaign demands transparency regarding her financial disclosures. Republicans argue her political consulting income contradicts her working-class image, positioning her as a Democratic insider, although Cooke highlights her business and nonprofit leadership as key experiences.
Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL aiming for a third term, calls attention to his previous election to Congress in 2022. Wisconsin’s 3rd District presents a swing state challenge, leaning Republican in recent presidential elections. Cooke’s close 2024 loss has put this race under national watch as Democrats aim to regain the House in November. The Cook Political Report reclassified the district from ‘lean Republican’ to ‘toss-up’, indicating a highly competitive battle ahead.