Democrat Rebecca Cooke Wins Wisconsin Primary, Sets Up Battle Against Conservative Rep. Van Orden
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Rebecca Cooke, a left-leaning small-business owner, has secured the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 3rd District, preparing for a November rematch against staunch conservative Republican Derrick Van Orden. Meanwhile, key House races across the Midwest and South will test the resolve of Republican leadership and values.
Rebecca Cooke, a small-business owner from western Wisconsin, has emerged as the Democratic nominee in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, according to NBC News projections. She will once again challenge two-term Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in the November general election—a race she lost in 2024 by about three percentage points, despite President Donald Trump’s strong seven-point victory in the district. The left continues to target this seat in hopes of flipping it and advancing its agenda.
Cooke, who touts her rural upbringing on a dairy farm, has tried to appeal to a wide range of voters, but her record shows deep ties to the Democratic establishment and its most radical elements. She boasts support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, moderate groups like New Dems and Blue Dogs, and even the endorsement of self-described socialist Senator Bernie Sanders. Last year, Cooke claimed, "I am a Blue Dog and a New Dem, but I’m also very progressive where it counts," while attempting to distance herself from clear partisan labels.
The Van Orden campaign has rightly called out Cooke for her alignment with the far left, pointing to her past support for radical New York politicians and her advocacy for stripping Americans of their Second Amendment rights by banning AR-15 rifles. These positions put her far outside the mainstream of Wisconsin values.
On the fundraising front, Cooke has managed to pull in about $8.6 million this cycle, slightly ahead of Van Orden’s $7.5 million, thanks in large part to liberal donors and outside groups. Both parties’ Super PACs have already reserved a staggering $9 million in TV airtime for the fall, underscoring how much the left is willing to spend to buy this seat.
In other Wisconsin races, former VA nurse Mitchell Berman won the Democratic primary in the 1st District, setting up a contest with Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, a reliable conservative endorsed by Trump and seeking a fifth term. Berman’s campaign has raised only $713,000 compared to Steil’s impressive $5.5 million, showing the clear advantage for Republicans in the district.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, Minnesota’s 1st District will see high-school teacher Jake Johnson, another Democrat, challenge GOP Rep. Brad Finstad, while the state’s open 2nd District will pit State Sen. Matt Little against Republican State Sen. Eric Pratt. These races will test whether conservative principles can withstand the relentless push from the left.
In the South, Republicans are poised to reclaim Alabama’s newly redrawn 2nd District. State Rep. Rhett Marques, with the backing of Trump and senior GOP leaders, will contest the seat currently held by Democrat Shomari Figures. The district, made more favorable to Republicans after a court-ordered map change, offers a prime opportunity to restore conservative representation and counter Democrat overreach.