Wisconsin’s 3rd District Race Pivots on Trump Loyalty vs. Anti-Establishment Populism
In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, Republican Derrick Van Orden is doubling down on his alliance with President Trump, while Democrat Rebecca Cooke positions herself as a populist alternative to both the GOP and the Democratic establishment. Van Orden, who voted with Trump nearly 100% of the time in 2025, has received high-profile support from administration officials and Elon Musk’s America PAC. Cooke, who lost by 11,000 votes in 2024, argues that voter fatigue with 'politics as usual' and dissatisfaction with the Trump administration create an opening for her broad coalition. The race highlights a strategic divergence within the GOP, with Van Orden embracing MAGA branding despite low approval ratings for the president in the state.
