In a heated primary contest, Rebecca Cooke, a local business owner, has emerged as the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Her victory over state Rep. Katrina Shankland sets the stage for a rematch against Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden in the November general election.
Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, flipped the seat for the GOP in 2022, narrowly defeating Democratic state Sen. Brad Pfaff. Pfaff has decided not to challenge Van Orden in 2024. The seat had been held by long-time Democrat Ron Kind for over two decades before Van Orden’s win.
The Democratic primary race turned particularly contentious in its final days, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. Outside super PACs poured money into the race in support of Cooke, while Shankland criticized these actions and emphasized her experience as a legislator.
The negativity in this primary race is a stark contrast to the 2022 contest. Anthony Chergosky, a political science professor at UW-La Crosse, attributed this shift to the Democrats’ strong desire to unseat Van Orden, making the opportunity to be the party’s standard-bearer highly competitive.
As the general election approaches, the race between Cooke and Van Orden is expected to be closely watched. The outcome will have implications for the balance of power in the House of Representatives and provide insights into the political landscape of Wisconsin.
