Rebecca Cooke has emerged as the Democratic nominee to challenge Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional seat, setting the stage for a highly competitive election that could help determine control of the House of Representatives next year.
With 90% of ballots counted, Cooke secured 49.1% of the vote, narrowly defeating her two Democratic opponents. The Associated Press called the race in her favor at 11:45 p.m. EST.
Van Orden, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, is seeking re-election after flipping the seat to Republican control in 2022. The seat has been considered a prime target for Democrats, and the Cook Political Report rates it as “Lean Republican.”
Since taking office, Van Orden has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, who endorsed his 2022 campaign. However, Van Orden has faced criticism from Democrats for his presence on Capitol Hill during the January 6 attack, which occurred before his election.
Additionally, Van Orden has been accused of yelling at a group of high school-aged Senate pages last summer, allegedly telling them they were “defiling” the Capitol building. Despite these controversies, Van Orden won his 2022 election by more than 4 points.
Democrats are now gearing up to challenge Van Orden in the general election, hoping to flip the district back into their control. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
