Rebecca Cooke Secures Win in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District Primary

Rebecca Cooke, with a background as a former waitress, small-business owner, and nonprofit founder, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Her win positions her for a face-off with Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden.

Cooke triumphed over Emily Berge, the former Eau Claire City Council President. This victory places Cooke on the ballot as Democrats aim to recapture House seats in the upcoming elections. It marks Cooke’s third attempt; she lost the 2022 primary to Brad Pfaff and secured the nomination in 2024, only to be defeated by Van Orden, who garnered 51.4% of the vote to her 48.6%.

Rebecca Cooke, candidate for Congress, speaks at a town hall hosted by Pete Buttigieg on January 16, 2026, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Cooke’s campaign emphasizes her working-class roots. Raised on a farm near Eau Claire, she has worked in various positions, from waitressing in her youth to founding the Red Letter Grant, which supports women entrepreneurs. She also previously owned a small retail business and was a board member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp under Governor Tony Evers.

Her campaign focuses on tackling affordability, healthcare, and challenges in rural communities. Cooke aims to position herself as a pragmatic Democrat who can appeal to a broad audience in a district covering Eau Claire, La Crosse, and other areas of western Wisconsin. Entering the primary, Cooke had the advantage of better funding and support from Democratic circles.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has included Cooke in its “Red to Blue” program, which channels resources toward viable candidates in competitive areas. Meanwhile, Berge presented herself as a local alternative, appealing to voters seeking a choice beyond the influence of national party backing. Her support was concentrated around Eau Claire.

As the general election approaches, attention may turn to Cooke’s finances and previous political roles. Van Orden’s campaign has pushed for a financial disclosure, delayed until after the primary, pointing out previous income from political consulting and rental properties might not align with her working-class image. Additionally, Republicans have tagged Cooke as a Democratic insider due to her campaign work and fundraising efforts. Nonetheless, Cooke highlights her diverse record in business, nonprofit leadership, and hospitality.

Van Orden, a retired Navy SEAL first elected in 2022, is running for a third term. Despite Wisconsin’s 3rd District leaning Republican in recent presidential votes, Cooke’s narrow 2024 loss and significant fundraising efforts make this race a key focus as Democrats aim to win back the House.

The Cook Political Report adjusted the district’s rating from “lean Republican” to “toss up,” signaling a closely contested race.