National Democrats have secured their candidate for a key contest this fall in a pivotal swing district in western Wisconsin.
Rebecca Cooke emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 3rd District on Tuesday. This win paves the way for a significant November showdown against GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden, offering Democrats a crucial opportunity to gain a seat.
After two previous unsuccessful congressional bids, Cooke is banking on a successful third attempt. She narrowly missed victory over Van Orden in 2024 by just 3 percentage points, despite President Donald Trump winning the district by over 7 percentage points. Her strong showing convinced the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to select her early on for their prestigious “Red to Blue” list in this election cycle.
Cooke has proven to be an effective fundraiser and is one of the few Democratic challengers this cycle to secure endorsements from a wide range of the party’s diverse factions. Her supporters include figures from progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to the centrist Blue Dog PAC.
In the primary, Cooke successfully overcame a challenge from the left by former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge, who sought to capitalize on the anti-establishment sentiment prevalent in the state. Cooke’s victory is a relief for establishment Democrats who have seen progressive and insurgent candidates disrupt their plans in key House battlegrounds.
