Democrat Rebecca Cooke defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, flipping the seat in a rematch of the 2024 election. The Associated Press called the race for Cooke at 12:48 a.m. Wednesday, with 52.4% of the vote to Van Orden’s 45.8%, based on 91% of ballots counted.
Cooke’s victory marks a shift in the competitive western Wisconsin district, which has alternated between parties in recent elections. Republicans held the seat in 2022 and 2024, but Democrats have remained competitive in congressional races. The district includes college towns such as Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Stevens Point, as well as rural areas with significant agricultural interests.
Fundraising and Endorsements
Cooke, a moderate Democrat, held a fundraising advantage over Van Orden, raising $12 million compared to his $8.8 million, according to the latest Federal Election Commission data. She received endorsements from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, progressive leader Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and potential 2028 presidential contenders Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). The DCCC’s involvement in the primary, including backing Cooke over her opponent Emily Berge, sparked internal party debates over its strategy.
Policy and Economic Context
The race unfolded amid economic pressures affecting the district’s agricultural sector. Former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and the Iran war’s impact on fertilizer and diesel prices contributed to financial uncertainty for farmers, according to reporting from CBS News. The district, which voted for President Obama in 2008 and 2012 before backing Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024, reflects broader shifts in voter priorities.
Historical Shifts in the District
Van Orden first won the seat in 2022, ending nearly three decades of Democratic control. Cooke had previously lost the 2024 Democratic primary but ran again in the general election, narrowly losing to Van Orden by less than three percentage points. Her 2025 victory reverses that outcome, restoring Democratic representation in the district.
The race was closely watched as Democrats sought to reclaim the House majority, with Wisconsin’s 3rd District identified as a top target. The outcome underscores the district’s swing-state volatility and the competitive nature of congressional races in the Midwest.