“Families are struggling to get by and deserve a champion who knows what it’s like to make ends meet and actually shows up for neighbors in need. I’m running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, provide more opportunities for success, and be a relentless fighter for our way of life.” (WEAU.com 7/10/23)

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“Our rural communities face unique challenges. It’s clear that Washington isn’t working for us, and Derrick Van Orden is part of the problem.” (PBS Wisconsin, 7/10/23)

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“When I go to D.C., I’m not just representing Democrats, but I’m representing everybody in the 3rd (Congressional District): Republicans, moderates, independents. “So (I’m) really working to build those folks into the fold as well.” (Wisconsin Public Radio, 8/13/24)

 

BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE

Rebecca Cooke is a small-business owner + nonprofit leader. A graduate of University of St. Thomas, she grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin + worked on the family’s dairy farm from childhood. As a college student, she worked for a non-profit that supported low-income families + was deeply involved with a social justice program. This experience provided a foundation for her commitment to service.

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Rebecca Cooke is founder of The Red Letter Grant “that supports women entrepreneurs throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin.” (Ballotpedia). This nonprofit supports female entrepreneurs by providing start-up capital, technical assistance + networking opportunities. Cooke operates an Airbnb business + waitresses at a local restaurant. Previously she was appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve on the Board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, She ran unsuccessfully in the District 03 Democratic primary in 2022.

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ON THE ISSUES

Rebecca Cooke’s priorities are detailed on her campaign website. They include:

• Healing our healthcare system

• Creating an economy built for working families

• Fighting for Wisconsin’s original entrepreneur, the farmer

• Strengthening the working class + empowering unions

• Ensuring seniors age with dignity

• Protecting democracy

• Improving water quality + investing in clean energy
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In detailing these issues on her web site, Cooke writes: “This priorities page is written in my own words not by a Washington insider- but a homegrown Wisconsinite who understands what the people of the Third Congressional District need the most. I won’t solve all our problems overnight, but I’ll sure as hell try. We might not see eye to eye on everything, but I’m going to fight for the region’s future.”

 

POLITICS IN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin is a critical battleground or “swing state” in the upcoming Presidential election. Biden narrowly carried the state by 20,682 votes or 0.7%. While Wisconsin has leaned Democratic in recent presidential elections, Trump was victorious in 2016 by 0.8%.  

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Wisconsin has one Democratic + one Republican Senator. Tammy Baldwin (D) is on the ballot this fall for another six-year term in the Senate. Only two of the state’s eight House representatives are Democrats.

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Wisconsin has been at the center of a strong + controversial gerrymander favoring Republicans after the 2020 Census. Democratic strength is largely concentrated in the urban areas of Milwaukee + Dane counties with Republicans generally strong in rural areas including District 03.

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District 03 includes the Driftless Area in southwestern Wisconsin including Eau Claire and La Crosse. It borders Minnesota, Iowa + Illinois.

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The incumbent is first-term Republican Derrick Van Orden who flipped the seat in 2022 with 51.9% of the vote.