Rebecca Cooke Wins Democratic Primary In Key Western Wisconsin House Race
Rebecca Cooke defeated Emily Berge in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, securing the nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in November.[1]
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has endorsed Cooke and identifies the 3rd District as a top target as Democrats seek to regain the House majority.[1] Federal Election Commission figures show Cooke has raised about $8.6 million and Van Orden about $7.5 million, though Van Orden reportedly has nearly $3 million more cash on hand.[1] The University of Virginia's Center for Politics rates the 2026 Cooke-Van Orden rematch as a toss-up.[1]
Cooke narrowly lost to Van Orden by less than three percentage points in the 2024 general election.[1] Van Orden first flipped the seat from Democratic control in 2022, making the district a repeated battleground.[1]
Cooke's primary victory was also reported by the New York Times.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, CBS News reported that Rebecca Cooke defeated Emily Berge in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, confirming she will again face Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in November. Rebecca Cooke
- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has endorsed Cooke and considers Wisconsin's 3rd District a top target as Democrats seek to regain the House majority. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
- CBS cites the latest Federal Election Commission data showing Cooke has raised about $8.6 million while Van Orden has raised $7.5 million, though Van Orden reportedly has nearly $3 million more cash on hand than Cooke. Federal Election Commission data
- The University of Virginia's Center for Politics rates the 2026 Cooke–Van Orden rematch in Wisconsin's 3rd District as a toss-up. University of Virginia's Center for Politics
- CBS notes that Cooke narrowly lost to Van Orden by less than three percentage points in 2024 and that Van Orden first flipped the seat in 2022. Van Orden
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS News reports on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, that Rebecca Cooke defeated Emily Berge in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, confirming she will again face Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in November.
- CBS notes that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has endorsed Cooke and considers the 3rd District a top target as Democrats seek to regain the House majority.
- According to the latest Federal Election Commission data cited by CBS, Cooke has raised about $8.6 million while Van Orden has raised $7.5 million, but Van Orden has nearly $3 million more cash on hand than Cooke.
- CBS reiterates that the University of Virginia's Center for Politics rates the 2026 Cooke–Van Orden rematch in Wisconsin's 3rd District as a toss-up.
- The article notes Cooke previously lost to Van Orden by less than three percentage points in 2024 and that Van Orden first flipped the seat in 2022.