{"id":2412433,"date":"2025-03-11T12:26:03","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T16:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-democrat-to-take-on-van-orden-again-after-close-2024-loss\/"},"modified":"2025-03-11T12:27:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T16:27:13","slug":"wisconsin-democrat-to-take-on-van-orden-again-after-close-2024-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-democrat-to-take-on-van-orden-again-after-close-2024-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Democrat to take on Van Orden again after close 2024 loss"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwisconsin-democrat-to-take-on-van-orden-again-after-close-2024-loss%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2412433&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rebecca Cooke, a Wisconsin Democrat, is launching another campaign to challenge Republican Rep. Derrick \u200bVan Orden in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Cooke narrowly lost to Van Orden in 2024 by just three points \u2062and aims to \u200ccapitalize on her previous campaign\u2019s momentum, \u200dwhere she notably outperformed expectations.Her campaign will prioritize working-class issues, \u2062reflecting her \u2063background from a dairy farm and experience as a small business owner.\u200d <\/p>\n<p>Cooke criticizes Van Orden for being disconnected from his constituents, particularly in \u200clight of his recent absence from district events \u2062and controversial comments made towards a veteran.\u2063 With Wisconsin&#8217;s 3rd Congressional District classified as &#8220;lean Republican,&#8221; Cooke is positioned to \u2064be a key challenger in what is expected to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dems-in-tough-elections-ignore-pelosis-push-to-tout-bbb\/\" title=\"Dems In Tough Elections Ignore Pelosi\u2019s Push To Tout BBB\">highly competitive race<\/a> next year.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Wisconsin Democrat to take on Van Orden again after close 2024 loss<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2021331\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Wisconsin<\/a> Democrat <a href=\"https:\/\/cookeforwisconsin.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Rebecca Cooke<\/a> is launching another campaign to unseat Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">2026 midterm elections<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cooke came within three points of unseating Van Orden in 2024 and overperformed at the top of the ticket by 5%. Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd Congressional District is currently labeled as a &ldquo;lean Republican&rdquo; race by the <em>Cook Political Report<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3343408\/lt-gov-garlin-gilchrist-launches-gubernatorial-bid-michigan\/\">Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist launches gubernatorial bid in Michigan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3335498\/why-is-north-carolina-supreme-court-race-still-undecided\/\">North Carolina Supreme Court race: Why is it still undecided<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3340648\/bill-cassidy-challenger-john-fleming-louisiana-voting-changes\/\">Bill Cassidy challenger sees path to topple senator with Louisiana voting changes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Last November, we won the trust of voters across the party spectrum and nearly sent a farm kid to Washington. We need more working class voices like ours who will fight like hell to build back the middle class,&rdquo; Cooke <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RebeccaforWI\/status\/1899437887810142687\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> in a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">social media post announcing<\/a> her candidacy Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>She is the first Democrat to enter the race, which is slated to be the most competitive House race in the Badger State next year. The district is a mixed bag encompassing the midsized cities of La Crosse, a historically blue and college city, and Eau Claire, as well as many rural communities and Wisconsin exurbs of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cooke, who grew up on a dairy farm and has touted her work as a waitress before becoming a small business owner, said in a statement she plans to focus on the working-class in her run for office.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While Derrick Van Orden cowers and hides from the people of western Wisconsin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jacky-rosen-pledges-to-combat-overpriced-drugs-as-she-rakes-in-cash-from-big-pharma\/\" title=\"Jacky Rosen Vows to Fight Pricey Drugs While Receiving Funds from Big Pharma\">big drug companies<\/a> are jacking up our medicine prices, out-of-touch elites are blocking pathways to homeownership and good jobs, and chaos continues to dominate Washington,&rdquo; Cooke said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s clear we need more working-class voices in Congress who have lived failed policy and will actually fight like hell to rebuild the middle class.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Van Orden, in recent weeks, has caught flack from his constituents over his absence in the district and a harsh message he sent to a veteran who was fired from their role in Elon Musk&rsquo;s Department of Government Efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Constituents <a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinindependent.com\/politics\/derrick-van-orden-town-hall-cancel-protestors-conspiracy-theories-safety-net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">have said<\/a> his office canceled a district meeting in Eau Claire last month. Van Orden said the event was canceled to avoid disruptive outsiders.<\/p>\n<p>Tony Ruiz, a veteran who served two years overseas in Germany, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JTCestkowski\/status\/1896207378590396490\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reached out <\/a>to Van Orden about his role being terminated. Van Orden responded by saying he was going to report him to DOGE.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3244610\/four-big-deadlines-2025-trump-congress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>FOUR BIG DEADLINES IN 2025 THAT WILL TEST GOP TRIFECTA LEADERSHIP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am a member of Congress on the VA Committee. I have absolutely no say in the employment status of any individual in the executive branch, however, I will be referring you to DOGE as it seems that at 13:46 on a Monday, you should have been working for veterans, not posting trash about your boss, President Trump. There needs to be accountability. Now,&rdquo; Van Orden wrote back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ruiz said he sent the message after he was fired and, therefore, was not working at the time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2021331\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2021331\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wisconsin Democrat Rebecca Cooke is running again to challenge Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the 2026 midterms after a narrow loss in 2024<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2412434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/van-orden-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4506,4912,3728,35316,4124],"class_list":["post-2412433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-4506","tag-democrat","tag-election","tag-van-orden","tag-wisconsin"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/van-orden-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2412433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2412433"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2412433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2412437,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2412433\/revisions\/2412437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2412434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2412433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2412433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2412433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}