Elections
Cooke launches 2026 US House campaign against Van Orden, gets national media attention
One U.S. House race in the region got some national publicity this week.
Third District candidate Rebecca Cooke (D-Eau Claire) was interviewed on MSNBC over the weekend about the launch of her new campaign against Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien).
Cooke’s interview was part of a story about a recent town hall that Van Orden did not attend.
Cooke also spoke in La Crosse this past week at the Concordia Ballroom, saying her early campaign launch is aimed partly at helping Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford.
“We’ll be spending a lot more time in La Crosse, and through all 19 counties in the district,” Cooke told WIZM. “Getting out early and making sure that we’re talking to our base, and getting people excited, not just for Wisconsin (District) 3, but the really important Supreme Court race that we having coming up here.”
Cooke also has criticized Van Orden for not attending town hall events.
She said the large size of the 3rd District makes it important for House representatives to meet people.
Cooke has run for this US House seat in the past two elections, winning the primary in 20224 but losing to Van Orden by 2.7%. She also ran in 2022 but did not win the primary.
Cooke thinks a Congressional race requires an early start.
“I think it takes time to build trust with voters,” Cooke said.
Speaking about last fall’s election, Cooke commented “I’ve only ran against Derrick Van Orden once, and nearly beat him, and I outperformed every Democrat on the ticket.”
Last week, Cooke attended a Democratic Party rally in La Crosse, which also featured state school superintendent, Dr. Jill Underly, who’s on the current spring ballot.
Van Orden did make an appearance in La Crosse on March 18. He met with the daughter of a World War II officer who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge. The congressman presented her with a Gold Star at the VFW Hall.
walden
March 24, 2025 at 1:51 am
Gov Evers and Cooke are doing pretty much what WIZM and Cooke acuse Van Orden of doing…have a small meeting at a friendly venue, no public advance announcement, no public discourse, snap a few pictures, call it a day. Rinse and repeat.
Cooke’s new campaign same as old campaign…baby killing and all that. My prediction? Cooke’s unpopular political positions and the public’s fatigue of her will keep her in her current day job.
Bill
March 24, 2025 at 8:43 am
The Democrats think they have a formula for success: Chaos with no real dialogue.
Find out when Republicans are having an open Town Hall. Stack the event with rabid left-wingers who interrupt any attempt to answer questions from the phony audience, make sure the media is there to engage in what the media likes: action, man, action.
The Republicans are on to this mischief, which is all it is, and will take the steps necessary to correctly communicate with their constituents. Like at Trump’s Joint speech a few weeks ago, the Democrats will be viewed as rude crackpots holding little signs or getting thrown out while shaking a cane at the guest speaker.
nick
March 24, 2025 at 6:40 am
MSNBC is a JOKE. As an independent, I am not aware of when she is in LaCrosse. As a person who despises both parties, I would love to interview her. We would find out soon enough if she could handle heat.
The candidates for both parties are being left off the hook.
Cooke will yell abortion rights since that is all she has.
Tom
March 24, 2025 at 9:52 am
Well yeah, run again in anticipation of the WI Supreme Court going further Left instead of balancing the Court after April 1st election. The Court going further Left most assuredly means Congressional District 3 (and 1) will be sliced up to guaranty a Dem win in ’26.
Vote Brad Schimel to protect the Court from activist Leftists judges on our Supreme Court!
walden
March 25, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Thank you Tom…insightful.