Skip to content
elect.link
Latest
Allupdates
R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. House 3, Wisconsin · Nov 3, 2026

Derrick
Van Orden

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-3), retired Navy SEAL, seeking re-election in November 2026

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
19
positions
10
endorsements
5
vanordenforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Alexander Valiensi Kent I+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Derrick Van Orden is a Republican U.S. Representative serving Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District. He was first elected in 2022 and has served since January 3, 2023, representing a district that covers much of western and southwestern Wisconsin. He resides in Prairie du Chien with his wife. 4/)121

Before entering Congress, Van Orden served 26 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 2014 as a Navy SEAL Senior Chief. After his military career he consulted for Fortune 500 companies and later reopened the Butternut Café with his wife. The House historical record also describes him as an actor and business owner. He holds a B.S. from Excelsior University and his campaign biography notes he attended law school, though no degree or institution is named. 1234/)

Van Orden ran unsuccessfully for Wisconsin's 3rd District seat in 2020 before winning the seat in 2022. He is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election against Democratic challenger Cooke and two write-in candidates. 4/)79

In Congress, Van Orden has highlighted issues related to farmers, veterans, and national security, and has been assigned to relevant House committees during the 118th and 119th Congresses. 1115

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 3, Wisconsin
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District
Website
vanordenforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 8
    news
    Van Orden draws closer to Trump as other Republicans distance themselves

    A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report noted Van Orden's continued close alignment with President Trump despite Trump's 38% Wisconsin approval rating in a Marquette Law School poll, a contrast to other Republicans shying away from the president.

    Derrick Van Orden draws closer to Trump as other Republicans shy away · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 7
    filing
    Van Orden and Cooke listed on District 3 ballot along with two independent candidates

    A local report confirmed Van Orden and Cooke, along with independents Alexander Kent and Rustin Provance, as candidates in the District 3 contest for the November 3 election.

    District 3 between Cooke, Van Orden, two write-ins · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    news
    House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigns with Van Orden at Sparta American Legion post

    Speaker Johnson campaigned alongside Van Orden at an American Legion post in Sparta, calling the district a 'top three race' for Republicans. Both criticized Democrats and emphasized opposition to socialism.

    'I've gotta have him': US House Speaker stumps for Van Orden - WPR · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 5
    endorsement
    Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police endorses Van Orden in 3rd District race

    The Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police announced its endorsement of Derrick Van Orden in the competitive 3rd Congressional District race.

    Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police endorses Van Orden in ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    debate
    Van Orden and Cooke agree to joint forum on October 20 in Eau Claire

    The candidates agreed to appear together at a forum at 11 a.m. on October 20 at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, organized by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce and WEAU, focusing on business and regional issues including economy, taxes, trade, health care, and energy.

    Rep. Derrick Van Orden & Rebecca Cooke to participate in ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 29
    news
    Cooke-Van Orden debate talks collapse, forum seen as unlikely

    Reports confirmed the breakdown of debate negotiations between the two campaigns, with each side blaming the other. A joint forum appeared unlikely at that point.

    Cooke-Van Orden debate talks derail, 2026 forum unlikely · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 17
    endorsement
    Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund endorses Van Orden for Congress

    The Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund announced its endorsement of Derrick Van Orden for reelection to represent Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District.

    Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund Endorses DERRICK VAN ORDEN for Senate · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 12
    news
    AP profiles Van Orden as Trump ally sticking close to president in swing district

    An AP report described Van Orden as a Trump ally remaining closely aligned with the president as Democrats push to flip Wisconsin's 3rd District.

    Trump ally in Wisconsin sticks close to the president ... - AP.org · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police organization
    Endorsement announced at an event in La Crosse, Wisconsin. wxow.com · Oct 5, 2026
  • Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund organization
    Endorsed Van Orden for Wisconsin's 3rd District U.S. House seat. The source page title mistakenly says 'Senate'; the text specifies the House race. teapartypatriots.org · Sep 17, 2026
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    The Chamber announced its endorsement for Van Orden in Wisconsin's Third Congressional District. uschamber.com · Aug 26, 2026
  • National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) organization
    Endorsement announced at an event in West Salem, Wisconsin. wispolitics.com · Aug 24, 2026
  • President Donald Trump official
    Trump stated: "Derrick Van Orden has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Announced by the NRCC on June 10, 2026; the date Trump originally made the endorsement is not given in the source. wispolitics.com · Jun 10, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$7.53M
Spent
$3.37M
Cash on hand
$4.68M

As of Jul 22, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H0WI03175(opens in a new tab)

Sources 19

  1. [1] Derrick Van Orden draws closer to Trump as other Republicans shy away(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  2. [2] 'I've gotta have him': US House Speaker stumps for Van Orden - WPR(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  3. [3] District 3 between Cooke, Van Orden, two write-ins(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police endorses Rep. Van Orden in La Crosse(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  5. [5] Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police endorses Van Orden in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  6. [6] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  7. [7] Rep. Derrick Van Orden & Rebecca Cooke to participate in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  8. [8] Cooke-Van Orden debate talks derail, 2026 forum unlikely(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  9. [9] Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund Endorses DERRICK VAN ORDEN for Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  10. [10] Trump ally in Wisconsin sticks close to the president ... - AP.org(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
  11. [11] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Derrick Van Orden for ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
  12. [12] Van Orden campaign: National Federation of Independent Business endorses Rep. Derrick Van Orden(opens in a new tab) Aug 24, 2026
  13. [13] Cooke, Van Orden split on affordability, immigration and ... - WEAU(opens in a new tab) Aug 16, 2026
  14. [14] Launches "Inside the Majority" video highlighting Derrick Van Orden(opens in a new tab) Jun 10, 2026
  15. [15] Van Orden Joins President Trump for Signing of Secure ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 10, 2026
  16. [16] Van Orden Statement on FY2026 National Defense ...(opens in a new tab) Dec 16, 2025
  17. [17] Van Orden Votes for Tax Breaks for Families, Small Business ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 3, 2025
  18. [18] Every Life We Can Save is a Gift | Derrick Van Orden for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 12, 2023
  19. [19] Energy | Representative Derrick Van Orden - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jan 3, 2023
Are you Derrick Van Orden?
Claim this page to add a statement to voters and correct your details.
Sign in to claim
elect.link

Candidate pages are assembled automatically from public web sources. Every claim links to where it came from. Nonpartisan; no endorsements. Candidates can claim their page to add a statement and corrections.