Overview
- Cooke defeated Emily Berge in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, winning about 57 percent of the vote in unofficial results and securing a rematch with Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
- Her campaign reported $8.6 million raised as of July 22, giving Cooke a roughly $1 million cash advantage over Van Orden and prompting the DCCC to add her to its Red to Blue program.
- Van Orden, a Prairie du Chien retired Navy SEAL first elected in 2022, has challenged Cooke to debates and pressed her to finalize a delayed financial disclosure as the general election phase begins.
- Cooke emphasizes a working-class background—raised on a dairy farm, small-business owner and nonprofit founder—and is campaigning on affordability, health care and rural economic issues.
- The 3rd District, which includes Eau Claire, La Crosse and Stevens Point, is rated a toss-up and is viewed as a high-value target for Democrats aiming to regain control of the U.S. House.