Rebecca Cooke is a Wisconsin small-business owner, nonprofit leader, and working-class advocate running to represent Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Born and raised in western Wisconsin, Cooke grew up on a dairy farm and learned early the value of hard work, responsibility, and community. She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied political science and public policy, and later built a career focused on rural economic development and public service.
Cooke founded and operated a small business that worked with local farmers, entrepreneurs, and community organizations — giving her firsthand experience with the challenges facing rural families, small towns, and working people across western Wisconsin. She also served as executive director of a nonprofit focused on workforce development and community growth, helping connect people to jobs and training opportunities. In 2022, Cooke ran for Congress in WI-03 and outperformed expectations in a competitive district, building a strong grassroots coalition and demonstrating real momentum. She’s running again in 2026 to bring practical, people-first leadership to Washington, focused on lowering costs, supporting rural communities, and making government work for everyday Wisconsinites.
Key Issue Stances & Priorities
- Lowering Costs for Families — Cooke is focused on tackling the rising cost of groceries, healthcare, housing, and child care so working families can get ahead.
- Support for Farmers & Rural Communities — As someone raised on a dairy farm, she understands the pressures facing farmers and rural towns and supports fair farm policy, rural broadband, and investment in local infrastructure.
- Healthcare Access — Cooke supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription-drug prices, and expanding access to mental-health and rural healthcare services.
- Good-Paying Jobs & Workforce Development — She advocates for job-training programs, apprenticeships, and investments that create good-paying jobs in western Wisconsin.
- Reproductive Freedom & Personal Liberty — Cooke believes healthcare decisions belong to patients and families — not politicians — and supports protecting reproductive rights.
- Putting People Over Politics — Running in a competitive, purple district, Cooke emphasizes pragmatic problem-solving and independence from corporate special interests.
Strengths & Campaign Momentum
- Deep Local Roots: Farm upbringing and small-business experience give her credibility across rural and working-class communities.
- Proven Grassroots Appeal: In her previous run, Cooke built a strong volunteer and small-dollar donor base, outperforming historical Democratic margins in WI-03.
- Clear Contrast: Offers a people-first alternative to extremist politics and corporate influence.
- Top Pickup Opportunity: WI-03 is one of Democrats’ best chances to flip a House seat in 2026.
Our rural communities face unique challenges, and it’s clear that Washington isn’t working for us, and Derrick Van Orden is part of the problem. I’m running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, provide more opportunities for success, and be a relentless fighter for our way of life. - Rebecca Cooke