Key facts
- Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke is campaigning in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, aiming to flip the seat.
- She faces Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden, who is a supporter of President Donald Trump's policies.
- Key issues include the impact of Trump's trade tariffs, particularly on agricultural products like soybeans.
- Farmers are experiencing increased costs for fuel and fertilizer, impacting their ability to afford supplies.
- Van Orden has supported policies that reduced SNAP and renewable energy incentives, affecting rural communities.
- Cooke, a dairy farmer's daughter, argues that Trump's policies have left rural voters behind.
In Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke is actively campaigning, often engaging with voters while working as a waitress. Her campaign is focusing on the impact of President Donald Trump's policies on rural communities, particularly concerning agriculture, fuel, and healthcare. Cooke is set to face Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden in a closely watched midterm election that could influence control of the House of Representatives.
Van Orden, who won the district in 2022, has aligned himself with Trump's agenda, including support for tax cuts that affected Medicaid and SNAP, and controversial tariffs. These policies have drawn criticism from rural voters like Dylan Bruce, a farmer who noted the cancellation of food purchasing assistance programs and rising fuel costs. Dean Rosenbrook, another farmer, also cited high fuel and fertilizer prices as a major concern, despite likely voting for Van Orden.
Political analysts suggest the district, which has swung between Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, is highly competitive. Van Orden's MAGA-friendly stance and support for Trump's policies, including the conflict with Iran which has driven up energy costs, are central to the race. Cooke, emphasizing her background as a dairy farmer's daughter, argues that Trump's policies have negatively impacted rural economies and farm consolidation. Her campaign aims to highlight these issues to voters, contrasting her moderate Democratic platform with Van Orden's alignment with Trump's policies.