Rebecca Cooke Defeats Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin's 3rd District Race

Rebecca Cooke secured victory over incumbent Derrick Van Orden in the race for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, marking a significant shift in the region's political landscape. The contest, which took place on Tuesday, November 1, 2026, saw Cooke triumph with a decisive edge over her opponent ¹²³.

However, there is some dispute regarding the exact date of the election. While sources report it as November 1, 2026, other accounts suggest a different timing, creating a minor discrepancy that needs further verification ³.

Van Orden, a Republican representative known for his service on the House Agriculture Committee, faced a formidable challenge from Cooke, who raised approximately $12 million for her campaign, compared to Van Orden’s $8.8 million ¹. The district, which includes parts of western and central Wisconsin such as Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Stevens Point, has historically shown a preference for swing states, with notable shifts in voter allegiance over the past decade ¹.

The 3rd Congressional District has seen a trend of fluctuating support between major parties, with Barack Obama winning the area in 2008 and 2012, followed by Donald Trump’s victories in 2016, 2020, and 2024 ¹³. In the most recent presidential contest, Trump garnered 52.8% of the vote, while Kamala Harris received 45.5% ³.

Van Orden’s previous success in the 2024 House race, where he won with 51.3% of the vote against Cooke’s 48.6%, highlighted the competitiveness of the district ³. Additionally, in 2020, Joe Biden narrowly edged out Trump in the district with 46.7% of the vote, compared to Trump’s 51.4% ³.

Cooke, a Democratic candidate and small-business owner, also serves as a political fundraiser and is the founder of a nonprofit organization. Her opponent, Van Orden, is a retired Navy SEAL and enjoyed the backing of former President Donald Trump ³.

This electoral outcome is part of a broader narrative of Democratic gains, with the party securing control of both the House and Senate ¹. The result underscores the ongoing competition for control of the House of Representatives, reflecting the national trend of shifting political allegiances and regional dynamics.

What we know

• - Rebecca Cooke defeated Derrick Van Orden in the race for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District ¹²³
• - The race took place on Tuesday, November 1, 2026, though this is disputed ³
• - Derrick Van Orden is a Republican representative and sits on the House Agriculture Committee ¹³
• - Rebecca Cooke raised approximately $12 million, while Van Orden raised around $8.8 million ¹
• - Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District includes parts of western and central Wisconsin, such as Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Stevens Point ¹
• - The district has been competitive in recent elections, switching between party control ³
• - In 2024, Donald Trump won the district with 52.8% of the vote, while Kamala Harris received 45.5% ³
• - Van Orden won the 2024 House race with 51.3% of the vote compared to Cooke's 48.6% ³
• - In 2020, Joe Biden won 46.7% of the vote in the district, and Trump won 51.4% ³
• - Van Orden is a retired Navy SEAL and had Trump's endorsement ³
• - Cooke is a small-business owner and founder of a nonprofit group ³
• - This race is part of the competition for control of the House of Representatives ³

What remains unclear

• - The exact date of the election is disputed, with conflicting reports ³