Rebecca Cooke is challenging first-term incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R), known as a hothead in Congress. This district was formerly represented by Rep. Ron Kind (D), who retired at the end of his term in January 2023. Rep. Van Orden beat Democrat Brad Pfaff by less than 4% in 2022.
Cooke faced a tough primary against state assemblywoman Katrina Shankland. It looked for much of the cycle as though it would be a close race, but Cooke ultimately won by 9% in the August primary. Cooke significantly outraised Shankland during the primary but now faces an uphill battle having to pivot immediately to the general election. National Democrats clearly expect this to be a competitive race as House Majority PAC reserved $4 million in ads in the district.
Rebecca Cooke was born and raised in the district as the daughter of dairy farmers. She worked throughout high school and at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she did a work-study for a nonprofit supporting low-income families. She then worked to help elect Democrats across the country before becoming a small-business owner in Eau Claire. She also founded a nonprofit in 2016 to support and empower other female entrepreneurs.
Rebecca Cooke was added to the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program after her primary victory and is backed by both the New Democrat and Blue Dog Coalitions. She also has endorsements from Emily’s List, the Jewish Democratic Council of America and a number of unions, among others.
Cooke is pragmatic and ready to work on commonsense solutions to our national security issues. She opposes new types of nuclear weapons and is ready to promote oversight over Pentagon programs to benefit hard-working Wisconsin families.
