Rebecca Cooke defeats GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden for Wisconsin battleground House race

Rebecca Cooke defeats GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden for Wisconsin battleground House race

Washington — Third time's the charm for Democrat Rebecca Cooke, who ousted two-term Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, CBS News projected.

The highly competitive seat, which covers parts of the western and central areas of the state, was a top target for Democrats in their quest to reclaim the House majority.

Former President Barack Obama carried the rural district, which includes the college towns of Eau Claire, La Crosse and Stevens Point, in 2008 and 2012. But the district then voted for President Trump in three consecutive presidential elections.

Van Orden was first elected in 2022, flipping the district red after Democrats held the seat for nearly three decades. Cooke lost a primary bid that year for the Democratic nomination. She ran again in 2024, losing the general election to Van Orden by less than three percentage points.

Cooke, a moderate Democrat, had a fundraising advantage over the GOP incumbent, pulling in nearly $12 million compared to Van Orden's $8.8 million, according to the latest Federal Election Commission data.

She had the backing o...