Rebecca Cooke has won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, positioning her for a rematch against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in a closely watched House race this fall. Cooke, who previously sought the nomination in 2022, secured the party's backing Tuesday after defeating former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge.
This marks Cooke's third attempt to win the western Wisconsin seat. In 2022, she lost the Democratic primary to then-state Sen. Brad Pfaff, and subsequently lost the general election to Van Orden by approximately 11,000 votes. Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL, won 51.4% of the vote to Cooke's 48.6% in that contest.
Cooke has centered her campaign on her working-class background, highlighting her upbringing on a dairy farm near Eau Claire, her past experience as a waitress, and her founding of the Red Letter Grant, a nonprofit supporting women entrepreneurs. She also operated a small retail business and served on the board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. by appointment from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Her platform focuses on issues of affordability, health care, and the economic challenges facing rural communities, with an emphasis on presenting herself as a pragmatic Democrat capable of appealing across party lines in a district that encompasses Eau Claire, La Crosse, and much of western Wisconsin.
Cooke entered the primary as the better-funded candidate and received national support. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) included her in its "Red to Blue" program, which allocates party resources to candidates deemed viable in competitive districts.
Berge, a mental health counselor and former city council president, ran on a platform emphasizing her local ties and offering voters a distinct alternative to a candidate with national party backing. Her support base was reportedly strongest in and around Eau Claire.
The general election campaign is expected to bring renewed attention to Cooke's financial disclosures and past political work. Van Orden's campaign has called for Cooke to release a financial disclosure that was extended to August 13, two days after the primary. The campaign has suggested that earlier disclosures showing income from political consulting and rental properties could conflict with Cooke's working-class image.
Republicans have also characterized Cooke as a political insider due to her work on Democratic campaigns and fundraising efforts. Cooke has defended this experience as part of a broader record that includes business ownership, nonprofit leadership, and work in the hospitality industry.
The Cook Political Report has reclassified the race as a "toss up," a shift from "lean Republican" in the previous election cycle, underscoring the district's competitive nature. Wisconsin is considered a key swing state, and Democrats are targeting the 3rd District as a potential pickup opportunity in their efforts to regain control of the House of Representatives in November.