A Democratic congressional candidate in Wisconsin’s 3rd District disclosed payments from two left-leaning organizations with financial ties to billionaire investor George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, according to a financial disclosure form released two days after the August 13 primary. Rebecca Cooke, who ran as a working-class outsider emphasizing her background as a waitress, small-business owner, and nonprofit leader, reported receiving more than $5,000 each from Third Way and the Pipeline Fund between January 1, 2025, and July 14, 2026. The disclosure forms did not specify exact amounts beyond the $5,000 threshold.
A spokesperson for Third Way confirmed to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Cooke received $30,000 for a project focused on economic policy. The Pipeline Fund did not provide a specific figure. Both organizations are described as left-leaning and have received funding from the Open Society network, which has distributed tens of millions of dollars to groups advocating for causes such as policing reform, LGBTQ rights, and drug decriminalization.
Third Way received $1 million from the Open Society network between 2023 and 2024, while the Pipeline Fund received $1.4 million directly from the Open Society Action Fund in 2024. George Soros has donated over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundation, now overseen by his son, Alex Soros, since 2022.
Cooke, who campaigned as a progressive Democrat, did not respond to requests for comment on the timing of the disclosure or the nature of her work with the organizations. The financial disclosure was filed after the primary election, which she won, and was released publicly shortly thereafter.
The revelation comes amid broader political discussions about the influence of large donations in elections and the transparency of financial disclosures by candidates. Third Way, a centrist Democratic organization, has faced criticism from progressive groups for its opposition to policies such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. The Pipeline Fund, which focuses on economic justice initiatives, has not publicly detailed its funding sources beyond its Open Society ties.
The Open Society Foundation has long been a target of political scrutiny, with critics arguing that its grants to advocacy groups amount to indirect political influence. Supporters counter that the funding supports legitimate policy research and advocacy for marginalized communities. The timing of Cooke’s disclosure—released after the primary—has raised questions about transparency, though state election officials noted that financial disclosures are typically filed after primary elections in Wisconsin.
Cooke’s campaign did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether the payments were disclosed in a timely manner or whether they complied with state filing requirements. Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, which oversees campaign finance disclosures, confirmed that the forms were filed within the required timeframe but did not comment on the delay relative to the primary.