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D Democratic · U.S. House 3, Wisconsin · Nov 3, 2026

Rebecca
Cooke

Rebecca Cooke is the 2026 Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
21
positions
12
endorsements
42
cookeforwisconsin.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 Derrick Van Orden R+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Rebecca Cooke is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House representing Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden in the November 2026 general election. She won the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026, according to the Associated Press and The New York Times. 101213

Cooke was born and raised on a dairy farm in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and attended Eau Claire public schools before earning a degree from the University of St. Thomas. 25 Her campaign biography describes her early career working on Democratic campaigns across the country, followed by her return to Eau Claire where she opened Red's Mercantile, a small retail shop, in 2015; it closed after seven years. In 2016, she founded the Red Letter Grant, a nonprofit supporting women entrepreneurs. 2

Cooke has no prior elected public office. She was appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) board, with the appointment documented in state legislative records beginning in 2019 and withdrawn in 2021. 1)2 Her campaign also describes her as continuing to work as a waitress at a local restaurant. 2

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 3, Wisconsin
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
cookeforwisconsin.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

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

Timeline

  1. Nov 3
    filing
    General election: Cooke vs. Van Orden and two write-in candidates in WI-3

    The general election for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District is scheduled for November 3. The race features Cooke, incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden, and two independent write-in candidates, Alexander Kent and Rustin Provance.

    District 3 between Cooke, Van Orden, two write-ins · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 20
    debate
    Eau Claire Area Chamber candidate forum scheduled at Chippewa Valley Technical College

    The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce announced a candidate forum scheduled for October 20 at Chippewa Valley Technical College, to be livestreamed by WEAU. As of October 12 it had not yet taken place.

    From Bernie to Bumper Stickers, Wisconsin Shows Where the 2026 Midterms Stand · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    poll
    Cook Political Report and WPR rate WI-3 a toss-up as Speaker Johnson stumps for Van Orden

    Wisconsin Public Radio and the Cook Political Report rated the WI-3 race a toss-up as of early October. On October 7, House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned with Van Orden and named the race one of his top three national priorities, highlighting the contest's competitive profile.

    'I've gotta have him': US House Speaker stumps for Van Orden - WPR · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 4
    endorsement
    Politico reports Cooke's broad coalition—Sanders, Blue Dogs, Baldwin, Yglesias—as sign of Dem unity

    Politico reported that Cooke had secured backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders, the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and commentator Matt Yglesias—an unusual cross-faction coalition noted as a contrast to broader Democratic civil war dynamics.

    The Democratic Civil War Is Raging — Except in This Swing-State Race · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    debate
    Cooke withdraws from La Crosse debate; negotiations collapse

    Negotiations for a La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce debate fell apart. Cooke's campaign cited concerns about good faith and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of Van Orden. Van Orden's campaign blamed Cooke for backing out. The La Crosse chamber's CEO said it had not endorsed either candidate.

    Attempts to stage a debate fizzle in key Wisconsin congressional race · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aug 27
    news
    Cooke rallies volunteers alongside Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Eau Claire

    Cooke held a volunteer rally with Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Eau Claire on August 27, according to her campaign press page.

    Press - Rebecca Cooke · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Aug 11
    filing
    Cooke wins Democratic primary over Emily Berge, becomes party nominee for WI-3

    Rebecca Cooke won the August 11 Democratic primary over Emily Berge and became the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District general election on November 3.

    Press - Rebecca Cooke · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Jun 20
    poll
    Poll: Cooke leads Van Orden 50%–46% (FM3 Research, June 20–25)

    A district poll by Democratic firm FM3 Research conducted June 20–25 showed Cooke leading Van Orden 50% to 46%.

    WI-3 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. May 26
    poll
    Poll: Cooke leads Van Orden 50%–46% (Impact Research, May 26–31)

    A district poll by Democratic firm Impact Research conducted May 26–31 showed Cooke leading Van Orden 50% to 46%.

    WI-3 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Feb 12
    poll
    Poll: Cooke leads Van Orden 49%–48% in WI-3 (Impact Research, Feb. 12–17)

    An Impact Research poll conducted February 12–17 showed Cooke at 49% and Van Orden at 48% in Wisconsin's 3rd District.

    WI-3 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Social Security Works organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Bernie Sanders official
    U.S. Senator; listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Mark Kelly official
    U.S. Senator; listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Tammy Baldwin official
    U.S. Senator; listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Elissa Slotkin official
    U.S. Senator; listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Brad Pfaff official
    Wisconsin State Senator; listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • 50+ Members of the U.S. House official
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without names or dates. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Iron Workers Locals 383 and 512 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • SEIU Wisconsin State Council union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Teamsters Joint Councils 32 and 39 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Wisconsin Education Association Council union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Blue Dog Caucus organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • EMILY's List organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • End Citizens United organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Defend the Vote organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Council for a Livable World organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Amalgamated Transit Union International union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Communications Workers of America, District 4 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Laborers' International Union of America union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • SMART union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • UFCW Local 1473 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Wisconsin State Council of Machinists union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • New Dems Action Fund organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Elect Democratic Women organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • American Association for Justice organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • EDF Action organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Get Out The Vote organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare organization
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • AFGE Local 704 union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • Association of Flight Attendants union
    Listed on campaign endorsements page without a date. cookeforwisconsin.com
  • UAW Region 4 union
    Announced August 20, 2026, jointly with ATU Local 1310 and Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters. wispolitics.com · Aug 20, 2026
  • Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters union
    Announced August 20, 2026, jointly with UAW Region 4 and ATU Local 1310. wispolitics.com · Aug 20, 2026
  • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1310 union
    Announced August 20, 2026, jointly with UAW Region 4 and Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters. wispolitics.com · Aug 20, 2026
  • United Steelworkers District 7 union
    Announced August 7, 2026. wispolitics.com · Aug 7, 2026
  • Wisconsin AFL-CIO union
    Announced July 21, 2026. wisaflcio.org · Jul 21, 2026
  • American Postal Workers Union of Wisconsin union
    Announced June 8, 2026. wispolitics.com · Jun 8, 2026
  • 50 local elected officials official
    Includes mayors, city and county board members, and local trustees from across the district. wispolitics.com · May 7, 2026
  • NRDC Action Fund organization
    Announced March 19, 2026. wispolitics.com · Mar 19, 2026
  • AFSCME union
    Announced March 2, 2026. wispolitics.com · Mar 2, 2026
  • Pete Buttigieg official
    Former U.S. Transportation Secretary; announced February 9, 2026. wispolitics.com · Feb 9, 2026

Campaign finance

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

Raised
$8.60M
Spent
$6.78M
Cash on hand
$1.83M

As of Jul 22, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4WI03169(opens in a new tab)

Sources 21

  1. [1] WI-3 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 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] From Bernie to Bumper Stickers, Wisconsin Shows Where the 2026 Midterms Stand(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  5. [5] The Democratic Civil War Is Raging — Except in This Swing-State Race(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  6. [6] Dem Candidate Sends “Cease and Desist” Order to Republican ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  7. [7] Attempts to stage a debate fizzle in key Wisconsin congressional race(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  8. [8] Press - Rebecca Cooke(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  9. [9] Priorities - Rebecca Cooke(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  10. [10] Cooke campaign: United Auto Workers Region 4, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1310, and Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters endorse Rebecca Cooke for Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
  11. [11] Cooke, Van Orden split on affordability, immigration and ... - WEAU(opens in a new tab) Aug 16, 2026
  12. [12] Cooke campaign: United Steelworkers District 7 endorses Rebecca Cooke for Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026
  13. [13] cookeforwisconsin.com · endorsementsEndorsements - Rebecca Cooke(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
  14. [14] Endorsement: Rebecca Cooke in CD 3 - Wisconsin State AFL-CIO(opens in a new tab) Jul 21, 2026
  15. [15] Cooke, Berge Meet in Third Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 15, 2026
  16. [16] Cooke campaign: American Postal Workers Union of Wisconsin endorses Rebecca Cooke for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 8, 2026
  17. [17] Cooke campaign: 50 local elected officials endorse Rebecca Cooke ...(opens in a new tab) May 7, 2026
  18. [18] Cooke campaign: NRDC Action Fund endorses Rebecca Cooke for ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 19, 2026
  19. [19] Cooke campaign: AFSCME endorses Rebecca Cooke for congress(opens in a new tab) Mar 2, 2026
  20. [20] Cooke campaign: Statement on Iran(opens in a new tab) Mar 2, 2026
  21. [21] Cooke campaign: Pete Buttigieg endorses Rebecca ... - WisPolitics(opens in a new tab) Feb 9, 2026
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