In a projected win by Decision Desk HQ, Rebecca Cooke has emerged victorious in the Wisconsin Democratic primary for the House seat currently held by Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.).
Supported by moderate figures such as Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and the Blue Dog PAC, Cooke secured the nomination against Wisconsin state Rep. Katrina Shankland (D). Shankland had the backing of progressive groups and labor organizations, including MoveOn and Wisconsin ALF-CIO.
Rebecca Cooke emerges as the Democratic nominee in Wisconsin, ready to take on Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in the general election
Political newcomer Eric Wilson, who has experience in health insurance and real estate according to his campaign website, also competed in the Democratic primary on Tuesday.
Cooke previously sought the seat in the midterms two years ago but finished second in the party primary. Now, Cooke will face Van Orden in the general election. Van Orden, a Trump ally who participated in the January 6, 2021 rally preceding the Capitol attack, was uncontested in the GOP primary.
Van Orden, who succeeded former Rep. Ron Kind, a moderate Democrat who served the district for nearly thirty years, won the western Wisconsin seat in the midterms. Both DDHQ and Cook Political Report categorize the Wisconsin House seat as leaning Republican.
