Rebecca Cooke

Biography

Rebecca Cooke is a small business owner and nonprofit leader from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District in 2024, narrowly losing to Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden. She has outraised Van Orden in consecutive fundraising periods in the 2026 cycle. The Democratic primary is scheduled for August 11, 2026.

Professional background

Small business owner; Nonprofit leader

In this race

• Derrick Van Orden (Republican)

Issue positions

healthcare-aca-medicaid (healthcare)

Cooke supports expanding Medicare to cover vision, dental, and hearing services. She also supports annually lowering the Medicare eligibility age and increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural hospitals.

immigration-border-security (immigration)

Cooke has been criticized by the NRCC for her stance on ICE. Her position on ICE enforcement is not explicitly stated in the provided information.

labor-pro-act (labor)

Cooke explicitly stated she will rally colleagues to pass the PRO Act. Passing the PRO Act overrides right-to-work laws in 27 states, eliminates independent contractor status for millions of gig workers, exposes employers to secondary boycott liability, and increases small business compliance costs.

social-policy-gender-identity (social-policy)

Wisconsin Democrats, including Rebecca Cooke, signed a letter supporting sex-change surgeries for minors. This position indicates support for gender-affirming care for minors.

federal-spending-deficit (federal-spending)

Cooke supports increasing funding for Head Start, expanding Pell Grants, and investing in federal green energy initiatives. These actions will increase federal spending.

Ratings & scores

• Wisconsin AFL-CIO: Endorsed (2024)
• League of Conservation Voters Action Fund: Endorsed (2025)
• Reproductive Freedom for All (NARAL): Endorsed (2025)