University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District has emerged as one of the most closely watched races that could help decide control of the U.S. House next year. Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden faces a rematch against Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke, who lost to him by roughly 11,000 votes in 2024. Analysts describe the campaign as increasingly negative, with both sides now focused on attacking each other's records rather than introducing themselves to voters.

President Trump looms over the contest even though he is not on the ballot. Van Orden has embraced Trump, saying he would welcome him back to the district, breaking from Republicans elsewhere trying to distance themselves from the president amid his low approval ratings. Cooke, who calls herself a moderate Democrat, is appealing to voters who have split tickets in the past, arguing Republican control of Congress and the White House makes the GOP accountable. The race is one of several competitive midterm contests nationally that will shape House control.

Rebecca Cooke defeated Emily Berge in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary, setting up a third consecutive matchup against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Cooke, who grew up on a dairy farm near Eau Claire and works as a waitress and small-business owner, narrowly lost to Van Orden in 2024 by less than three percentage points after also losing the 2022 primary. She entered this year's primary with backing from the DCCC's "Red to Blue" program, while Berge campaigned as a local alternative skeptical of national party influence. Cooke holds a fundraising edge, having raised about $8.6 million to Van Orden's $7.5 million, though he retains nearly $3 million more cash on hand.

The western Wisconsin district, covering Eau Claire and La Crosse, has trended Republican in presidential races but is rated a toss-up, making it Democrats' top target in the state as they seek to retake the House majority in November. Cooke is campaigning on rural frustration over Trump administration policies, including tariffs that have hurt farm exports, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and rising fuel and fertilizer costs tied to the Iran conflict, while Van Orden defends his record backing Trump's agenda. The race is part of a broader Wisconsin battleground that includes the 1st District, where nurse Mitchell Berman will challenge GOP Rep. Bryan Steil, and the solid-red 7th District, won by Sean Duffy's son-in-law Michael Alfonso in the Republican primary.