Rebecca Cooke Wins Democratic Primary in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District

Rebecca Cooke, a former waitress and small-business owner, won the Democratic primary in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District on August 8, 2026, setting up a rematch with Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Cooke defeated former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge, marking her third attempt to secure the seat after losing in the 2022 primary and the general election. In the 2022 election, Van Orden won with 51.4% of the vote compared to Cooke's 48.6%. Cooke has emphasized her working-class background and has focused her campaign on issues such as affordability and healthcare. She has received national support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which included her in its 'Red to Blue' program. The general election is expected to bring renewed scrutiny of Cooke's personal finances, as Van Orden's campaign has called for her to release financial disclosures. The Cook Political Report has categorized the race as a 'toss up' after previously labeling it as 'lean Republican.'