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Rebecca Cooke Wins Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District Democratic Primary, Sets Up Rematch with Incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden
On Tuesday, Rebecca Cooke clinched the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, setting the stage for a November showdown with Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden. The Associated Press called the race at 9:21 p.m. after Cooke, a former small‑business owner and fundraising consultant, edged out former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge in the primary.
Cooke’s victory marks her third attempt at the seat. In 2022 she lost the Democratic primary to state senator Brad Pfaff, who in turn was defeated by Van Orden in the general election. In 2024 Cooke won the primary and fell short in the general, capturing 48.6 percent of the vote to Van Orden’s 51.3 percent. That race also saw Cooke outperform Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the district.
The 3rd District stretches across western and central Wisconsin, covering Eau Claire, La Crosse, Stevens Point and surrounding rural and suburban communities. Historically Republican, the district’s Cook Partisan Voting Index shifted from even to R+4 in 2021. It supported Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, yet recent elections have shown tighter margins.
During the campaign, Cooke highlighted outreach to rural voters and working‑class families. She said she focused on “showing up in rural communities and working‑class spaces to talk to people about the issues that keep them up at night.” Key concerns she cited were rising healthcare costs, tariff‑related price hikes, and higher fuel and fertilizer prices linked to the war in Iran.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) endorsed Cooke in February, adding her to its “Red to Blue” program aimed at flipping Republican‑held districts. The endorsement supplied staff, training and fundraising support. By July 22, Cooke’s campaign had raised $8.6 million, outpacing Van Orden by just over $1 million.
Van Orden’s campaign has scrutinized Cooke’s record and messaging. The former Navy SEAL, who has represented the district since 2023, challenged Cooke to a debate on July 21 after the two candidates failed to meet on the debate stage in 2024. In a statement, Van Orden called Cooke “an anointed candidate” by national Democrats who would “carry water for the socialists who have taken over their party.”
The 3rd District is one of only a handful of seats that House Democrats view as a toss‑up in the 2026 midterm cycle. A victory would help the party move closer to regaining a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
With the primary concluded, Cooke’s campaign will pivot to the general election. Wisconsin voters will weigh the incumbent’s record against Cooke’s platform of tackling cost‑of‑living and economic issues. The November contest is expected to draw national attention and additional resources from both parties.
At this juncture, Cooke holds the Democratic nomination and a fundraising edge, while Van Orden remains the sitting representative. The outcome of the November election will decide whether the district’s seat changes hands and whether Democrats can inch closer to a House majority.
Cooke’s victory marks her third attempt at the seat. In 2022 she lost the Democratic primary to state senator Brad Pfaff, who in turn was defeated by Van Orden in the general election. In 2024 Cooke won the primary and fell short in the general, capturing 48.6 percent of the vote to Van Orden’s 51.3 percent. That race also saw Cooke outperform Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the district.
The 3rd District stretches across western and central Wisconsin, covering Eau Claire, La Crosse, Stevens Point and surrounding rural and suburban communities. Historically Republican, the district’s Cook Partisan Voting Index shifted from even to R+4 in 2021. It supported Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, yet recent elections have shown tighter margins.
During the campaign, Cooke highlighted outreach to rural voters and working‑class families. She said she focused on “showing up in rural communities and working‑class spaces to talk to people about the issues that keep them up at night.” Key concerns she cited were rising healthcare costs, tariff‑related price hikes, and higher fuel and fertilizer prices linked to the war in Iran.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) endorsed Cooke in February, adding her to its “Red to Blue” program aimed at flipping Republican‑held districts. The endorsement supplied staff, training and fundraising support. By July 22, Cooke’s campaign had raised $8.6 million, outpacing Van Orden by just over $1 million.
Van Orden’s campaign has scrutinized Cooke’s record and messaging. The former Navy SEAL, who has represented the district since 2023, challenged Cooke to a debate on July 21 after the two candidates failed to meet on the debate stage in 2024. In a statement, Van Orden called Cooke “an anointed candidate” by national Democrats who would “carry water for the socialists who have taken over their party.”
The 3rd District is one of only a handful of seats that House Democrats view as a toss‑up in the 2026 midterm cycle. A victory would help the party move closer to regaining a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
With the primary concluded, Cooke’s campaign will pivot to the general election. Wisconsin voters will weigh the incumbent’s record against Cooke’s platform of tackling cost‑of‑living and economic issues. The November contest is expected to draw national attention and additional resources from both parties.
At this juncture, Cooke holds the Democratic nomination and a fundraising edge, while Van Orden remains the sitting representative. The outcome of the November election will decide whether the district’s seat changes hands and whether Democrats can inch closer to a House majority.
