Cooke Wins Wisconsin Primary, Sets Van Orden Rematch

Rebecca Cooke has won the Wisconsin primary in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, clearing the way for a rematch with Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in one of the cycle’s most closely watched House races. Cooke, a former waitress, small-business owner and nonprofit founder, defeated former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge on Tuesday night.

The Wisconsin primary gives Democrats another shot at a seat they consider one of their best pickup chances this fall. Cooke is making her third run for the district. She lost the 2022 Democratic primary to then-state Sen. Brad Pfaff, then won the party’s nomination in 2024 before falling to Van Orden in the general election. Van Orden won that race by about 11,000 votes, taking 51.4% to Cooke’s 48.6%.

Cooke has built her campaign around a working-class profile that she says reflects the district she wants to represent. Raised on a dairy farm near Eau Claire, she has waited tables since her teen years, founded the Red Letter Grant nonprofit for women entrepreneurs and previously ran a small retail business. She also served on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. board after an appointment from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Her campaign has centered on affordability, health care and the pressures facing rural communities. Democrats have also cast her as a practical candidate who can compete in a district that includes Eau Claire, La Crosse and much of western Wisconsin. Cooke entered the race with more money than her primary opponent and with support from national Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee placed her in its “Red to Blue” program, which steers party resources toward candidates seen as competitive in Republican-held districts.