Who's running in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Derrick Van Orden currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering health care and prescription drug costs, including protecting and extending Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Expanding affordable housing and access to child care.
Cracking down on corporate price gouging and enforcing antitrust laws.
Supporting farmers, opposing tariffs she says hurt them.
Local transparency so communities are not 'taken advantage of' by data center developers.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Democratic nominee for this district in 2024, losing to Van Orden by less than three points.
Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation board member, appointed by Gov. Tony Evers.
Won the August 11, 2026 Democratic primary with about 60% over Emily Berge.
Added to the DCCC's 'Red to Blue' program in February 2026; endorsed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, EMILY's List and AFSCME.
Raised more than $8.6 million, outraising Van Orden by more than $1 million, according to WEAU.
Received an extension to file her federal personal financial disclosure until after the primary.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
Congress needs 'more working-class voices at the table who have lived through failed policies' — she comes 'not from the far left or the far right' and builds relationships across the aisle.
— Rebecca Cooke, Pierce County Journal candidate questionnaire
In 2024 she outperformed other Democrats on the ballot in the district, including Kamala Harris and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and her campaign is squarely focused on 'lowering costs, combating corruption, supporting small businesses, bolstering agriculture'.
— Rebecca Cooke, primary-night remarks reported by Spectrum News 1
Arguments against
Cooke 'is exactly who the national Democrats wanted, an anointed candidate they know will carry water for the socialists who have taken over their party' — with the same 'radical left-wing' agenda as Democratic governor nominee Francesca Hong.
— Rep. Derrick Van Orden, reported by Ballotpedia News and WEAU
'You can't just continue to prop up the candidates with the most money and then funnel more millions to them' — and she should have released her delayed financial disclosure before voters went to the polls.
— Emily Berge, Democratic primary opponent, reported by WEAU
What we couldn’t verify
Her personal financial disclosure, due after the primary, was not reviewed.
Whether she and Van Orden will debate had not been reported.
The 2025 Republican budget law, which he calls the Working Families Tax Cuts.
Farm Bill and defense spending legislation.
Opposition to what he calls a 'radical left-wing' agenda on policing, immigration and gun rights.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd District since January 2023; won 51.4% in 2024.
Retired US Navy SEAL senior chief, 1988–2014.
Member of the House Agriculture, Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees.
Voted for the 2025 Republican budget law, H.R. 1.
Has not held in-person town halls since early in Trump's second term, according to WPR.
Attended the January 6, 2021 'Stop the Steal' rally in Washington.
In August 2026 drew criticism for posting AI-generated videos depicting Cooke making statements she had not made.
Endorsed by President Trump; unopposed in the August 11, 2026 Republican primary.
Arguments in favor
'I have a very strong record to run on' — he helped pass the budget law, the Farm Bill and the defense authorization, and voters should 'put aside the noise' from left-wing groups and read his record.
— Rep. Derrick Van Orden, to WEAU
He was raised by a single mother 'in abject rural poverty' and knows the kitchen-table conversations across the district; as a SEAL he learned that 'the person standing next to you isn't a Republican or a Democrat', and he will work with anyone to help western Wisconsin.
— Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Pierce County Journal candidate questionnaire
The string of Trump administration visits to the district proves the administration cares about rural America.
— Rep. Derrick Van Orden, reported by WEAU
Arguments against
'He's failed to host any sort of in-person town hall to be accountable for his votes' and brings in a different Trump administration official every other week 'because he can't win on his own', while tariffs hurt farmers and health costs rise.
— Rebecca Cooke, Democratic opponent, reported by WEAU
His vote for the 2025 budget law will cost as many as 100,000 Wisconsinites their health coverage and put hospitals at risk of closing, all to fund tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.
— DCCC
What we couldn’t verify
Whether he will debate Cooke had not been reported.
Returning to the gold standard and ending the Federal Reserve.
Upholding the Constitution and giving the public a full explanation for every vote.
Serving one term without party influence.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Certified nursing assistant; HVAC-R degree from Dakota County Technical College.
Candidate for this district in 2024.
Has a felony conviction, which he references in his campaign materials; the Republican Party of Wisconsin's challenge to his ballot access over it was rejected by the Wisconsin Elections Commission in June 2026.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against his candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found beyond the Republican ballot-access challenge.
The nature of his felony conviction was not reported in the sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is a rematch of 2024, when Republican Derrick Van Orden beat Democrat Rebecca Cooke by less than three percentage points. Four candidates are on the ballot: Cooke, who beat former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge with about 60% in the August 11, 2026 Democratic primary; Van Orden, unopposed in his primary; and independents Alexander Valiensi Kent and Rustin Provance. The state Republican Party challenged Provance's nomination papers because he signed the standard declaration saying he had no felony conviction; he has one and says so publicly, and federal candidates are not barred by it. The Wisconsin Elections Commission rejected the challenge in June and approved him for the ballot. The 19-county western Wisconsin district includes Eau Claire, La Crosse, Stevens Point and Prairie du Chien. It is the most competitive seat in Wisconsin, and the Cook Political Report rates it a toss-up. Candidates are listed Democrat first, following Wisconsin's rule of ordering parties by their share of the last governor's race, then independents alphabetically; this order is assumed, not confirmed from a sample ballot.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Wisconsin ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Wisconsin Elections Commission.