Rebecca Cooke To Run For 3rd District Congressional Seat

Democrat Rebecca Cooke, a former small business owner and past member of the state’s economic development board, announced a run for Congress on Monday in a battleground western Wisconsin district Republicans flipped last time. Cooke, who is 35, is running for a chance to take on first-term Representative Derrick Van Orden of Prairie du Chien, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump. Democrats are targeting the seat in their effort to regain control of the U.S. House in 2024. Cooke, who is from Eau Claire, finished second in the 2022 primary to state Sen. Brad Pfaff who was then defeated by Van Orden for the 3rd District Congressional seat. Pfaff, among other Democrats, also may try again for the seat, which Democrat Ron Kind held for more than 24 years before retiring in 2022. Pfaff beat Cooke by about 8 points last time.