The 2022 race for the 3rd Congressional District set campaign finance records, and this year’s campaign could be even more expensive.

By Peter Cameron, THE BADGER PROJECT

Rebecca Cooke, a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District in western Wisconsin, raised more than $1.8 million in the first half of 2024, much more than her competition for the Democratic nomination, which includes a long-time state legislator.

But typical of an incumbent, Rep. Derrick Van Orden sits in the strongest cash position as he aims to defend his U.S. House seat. The three Democratic challengers — Cooke, state Rep. Katrina Shankland, and Eric Wilson — trail him significantly in terms of fundraising, according to recent filings with the Federal Elections Commission.

The 2022 race for the seat was its most expensive in history, and 2024 is likely to be even pricier.

In this election cycle, Van Orden has, so far, received the legal maximum donation — $6,600 — from billionaire, right-wing megadonor Richard Uihlein, John Anderson of Rockford and Edward Levy of Birmingham, Alabama, according to his report.

The congressman also has strong financial support from many agribusinesses and farming interests. Van Orden sits on the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House, where policy and bills are shaped before going to the full body for a vote. The political action committees of the Farmers’ Rice Cooperative, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Farm Credit Council all contributed $6,000 or more to Van Orden.

Shankland has received the legal maximum from Julie King of Custer, Wisconsin, Gerard St. Hilaire of Custer, Wisconsin, Stephen McNally of Austin, Texas, Harry Porter of Sturgeon Bay, Tomas Torres of Houston, Ronald Marron of San Diego, John W. Miller of Fox Point, John C. Miller of Kohler and former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, according to her report.

Neither Cooke nor Wilson has received a maximum donation from anyone yet in this election cycle, according to their reports.

Cooke, from Eau Claire, describes herself as “a small business owner, non-profit leader and waitress.” Shankland, from Stevens Point, was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012. Wilson is an official in the Eau Claire County Democratic Party.

The primary election in Wisconsin is Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Notes from 2022

Cooke also ran for the seat in 2022, earning more than 31% of the vote in a crowded Democratic primary, but lost to state Sen. Brad Pfaff, who won with nearly 39%.

Van Orden then defeated Pfaff in the general election by 2.7 points, 51.8% to 48.1%.

Van Orden actually ran behind then-President Donald Trump, who won the 3rd Congressional District by 4.7 points in 2020.

In 2022, National Democrats mostly ignored Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District and withheld major cash infusions, thinking it not very competitive. Pfaff’s relatively narrow loss surprised many. Their strategy might be different this time, but first Democrats need a candidate.

Shankland is trying to consolidate the middle and the left, with endorsements from progressive leader Rep. Mark Pocan and Rep. Gwen Moore, both of Wisconsin, as well as many labor organizations and state legislators. Cooke sits closer to the political middle, said Joseph Heim, a UW-La Crosse political science professor emeritus. She is endorsed by the Blue Dogs Political Action Committee, which supports moderate Democrats. Two of its most prominent members, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, have both also endorsed Cooke.

As the most moderate of the three Democrats in the race, Cooke could give Van Orden the strongest race in the swing district, Heim mused.

The Cook Political Report rates the race “lean Republican,” which means it is considered competitive, but one party has an advantage.

“Bottom line?” Heim asked. “It’s likely going to be a close contest. Maybe the only close congressional contest in Wisconsin.”

The Badger Project is a nonpartisan, citizen-supported journalism nonprofit in Wisconsin.

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