Democrats in Wisconsin deploy billboard advertisements against Van Orden in the run-up to the 2026 election
The 2026 election in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District is shaping up to be a closely-watched contest, with incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden facing a challenge from Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke.
The Candidates
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Navy SEAL veteran, won the seat in 2024 with about 51.4% of the vote. On the other hand, Cooke, a former small business owner and waitress, nearly won in 2024 and is running again, emphasising her working-class background and rural roots.
Key Issues and Campaign Dynamics
The district, described as a toss-up by political analysts, is highly competitive due to close past elections and Van Orden’s failure to fully align with Trump’s popularity in the district. Cooke has built a diverse coalition of rural, suburban, and urban voters, including independents and some Trump voters disaffected with Van Orden.
Cooke portrays herself as a voice for rural and farming families, focusing on middle-class economic issues and the challenges facing local agriculture. Van Orden, known for his advocacy for veterans, has faced some social media controversies and positioning relative to Trump, making the race competitive.
Fundraising and Race Outlook
Both candidates are strong fundraisers, making the 3rd District one of the most expensive and closely watched House races in Wisconsin for 2026. Democrats see this seat as a top target to flip and believe that with the right candidate—such as Cooke—they have a viable chance to win, especially since midterms tend to favour the party not in the White House.
Republicans, however, criticise Cooke’s political background and portray her as far-left and out-of-touch with the district, trying to diminish her appeal.
The Billboard Campaign
A recent development in the race involves a billboard campaign launched by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin against Rep. Derrick Van Orden's support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The billboard campaign, more than a year ahead of the 2026 primary, features a deleted Tweet from Rep. Van Orden, in which he responded "YES!" to a post stating that 17 million people lost health care, 18 million kids lost school meals, and 3 million Americans lost food assistance.
Devin Remiker, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, stated that the billboard aims to inform people about what Derrick Van Orden voted for and his pride in it. The Party plans to continue the billboard campaign all the way through November of next year.
The 3rd District could be key to controlling the U.S. House of Representatives, according to Associate Political Science Professor at UW-La Crosse Anthony Chergosky. With the 2026 election approaching, the race between Van Orden and Cooke promises to be a high-profile, tight race.
- The heated 2026 election in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, competing between Republican incumbent Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke, is not just about politics but also policy-and-legislation, with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act becoming a significant point of contention in the race.
- The upcoming 2026 election in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, shaping up to be a closely-watched contest, is not only influenced by general-news events and local dynamics, but also by the candidates' positions on key issues such as the economy, agriculture, and healthcare, making it a race of significant importance for national policy and legislation.
