Cooke Wins WI-3 Primary, Setting Up Rematch in Key House Fight
Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 3rd District, securing a rematch against incumbent Derrick Van Orden in November. The race is a pivotal test for House control, with Cooke backed by a broad coalition from moderates to progressives. Other key primaries in Minnesota and Alabama also set up competitive contests, while Democrats face fundraising challenges in Wisconsin’s 1st District.
Key points
- Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic primary in Wisconsin’s 3rd District, facing two-term Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in November.
- Cooke, a small-business owner, attracted support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, New Dems, Blue Dogs, and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
- Van Orden’s campaign criticized Cooke as too far left, citing her support for Zohran Mamdani and calls to ban AR-15 rifles.
- Cooke has raised nearly $8.6 million, slightly ahead of Van Orden’s $7.5 million, with Super PACs reserving $9 million in airtime for the race.
- Mitchell Berman won the Democratic primary in Wisconsin’s 1st District but trails GOP Rep. Bryan Steil in fundraising ($713,000 vs. $5.5 million).
- Jake Johnson won the Democratic primary in Minnesota’s 1st District to face GOP Rep. Brad Finstad, a district Trump won by 12 points in 2024.
Background
These primaries follow a wave of progressive victories in 2026, including in Tennessee and Michigan, which have intensified intra-party debates over the Democratic establishment’s strategy. Bernie Sanders recently argued that anti-establishment progressives are gaining ground, contrasting them with billionaire-backed incumbents. The redistricting in Alabama, approved by the Supreme Court in June, shifted the 2nd District from a Democratic-leaning to a Republican-leaning map, altering the competitive landscape for the 2026 midterms.
Why it matters
The outcome of these races could determine the balance of power in the House, with Wisconsin’s 3rd and 1st Districts, Minnesota’s 1st and 2nd Districts, and Alabama’s 2nd District serving as critical battlegrounds. The fundraising disparity in Wisconsin’s 1st District and the redistricting-driven shift in Alabama highlight the challenges facing both parties in securing a majority.
What to watch
The general elections in November will test the viability of Cooke’s cross-ideological appeal in Wisconsin and the impact of redistricting in Alabama. Super PAC spending and final fundraising efforts will likely shape the outcomes in these competitive races, with the House majority hanging in the balance.
- Democrat backed by Blue Dogs and Bernie Sanders wins primary as parties prepare to battle for the House NBC News
- Rebecca Cooke Wins Democratic Primary for Key Wisconsin House Seat The New York Times
- Cooke victory in 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary sets up rematch WPR
- In rural Wisconsin, frustrations over Trump ag policies heat up House race Reuters
- Van Orden faces Cooke in rematch for battleground Wisconsin House seat The Hill
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on NBC News