Democrats are feeling optimistic about their chances in western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, as they only need to win a few seats to gain control of the House. In this district, a waitress at a farm-to-table restaurant is determined to unseat the incumbent and first-term Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
According to a memo from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee obtained by HuffPost, Rebecca Cooke is leading Van Orden by a slim margin of 49% to 48% in a recent poll commissioned by the DCCC.
In the latest survey, Cooke has once again emerged as the frontrunner, marking the second time in a month. However, it is important to note that the margin between Cooke and the other candidates falls within the poll’s 4.9% margin of error. The survey was conducted from October 3 to October 7, with data collected through various channels including landline, cellphone, and text responses.
The DCCC memo revealed that Cooke had an 11-point advantage when it came to voters’ perception of who better reflected their position on abortion. Additionally, Cooke held a 6-point advantage in terms of being seen as a more relatable candidate.
Cooke, who campaigns during the day and works as a waitress three nights a week, highlights her strong connections to the local community as a crucial element of her strategy.
In a phone interview with HuffPost, she mentioned that she spends her entire day engaging with people at events like parades and lutefisk festivals. From morning till night, she immerses herself in conversations with individuals, only heading to work around 10 o’clock in the evening.
In early September, Cooke held a slight advantage over Van Orden with a 49% to 47% lead, according to a poll conducted for the House Majority PAC, a Democratic group. However, a subsequent poll conducted by the Republican Congressional Leadership Fund in late September showed Van Orden taking the lead with 49% of the support compared to Cooke’s 44%.
If she emerges victorious, Cooke would not be the first blue-collar worker to secure a seat in Congress. As a Democrat, she would join the ranks of other notable individuals who have achieved this feat in recent years.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) worked as a waitress and bartender before being elected to her seat in 2018. Similarly, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the youngest member of Congress from Generation Z at the age of 27, had experience as a ride-share driver.
Running for Congress can be a challenging endeavor, especially for those who do not come from a privileged background or possess independent wealth. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aptly observes, the majority of everyday individuals cannot afford to abandon their jobs for an extended period of time in order to pursue a political campaign.
Van Orden’s reputation has continued to grow due to his occasional episodes that attract attention. He was present at the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection attempt on January 6, 2021. Additionally, in July 2023, he raised his voice at a group of Senate pages who were lying on the floor in the Capitol’s rotunda while taking pictures of the ceiling.
“Wake up, you little brats. What on earth are you doing? Get out of here immediately. You are disrespecting this place, you idiots,” Van Orden reportedly scolded the pages, as stated in The Hill, which referenced an account from one of the pages.
At the national convention in July, Van Orden had a confrontation with a Code Pink protester, with both individuals accusing the other of pushing them.
Cooke believes that Derrick Van Orden has displayed a clear example of conforming to the ways of Washington by his reaction towards the young Senate pages. According to Cooke, Van Orden’s behavior is not aligned with the usual discourse within the community.
Despite multiple attempts to obtain a comment, Van Orden’s campaign did not respond to the emailed request.
Van Orden and Republicans are criticizing Cooke’s depiction of herself as a political novice, arguing that it is an attempt to conceal her partisan background. Van Orden is running on a typical Republican platform this year, with a focus on immigration and inflation.
In September, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) highlighted a report from a conservative Wisconsin website. The website had examined the website of Cooke’s former campaign consulting company using the Wayback Machine web archive.
According to NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella, Rebecca Cooke, who has a background as a paid political activist, has dedicated her career to supporting far left Democrats such as Kamala Harris and Mandela Barnes, known for their radical views and extreme stance on issues like Defund the Police. However, despite her efforts to conceal her past from voters, Marinella believes that they will see through her dishonesty and reject her in the upcoming November elections.
“It’s an integral part of my personal narrative. It has always been prominently displayed on my website and featured in my printed materials. I have never hidden it,” she affirmed.
Cooke’s pitch is centered around her can-do attitude, which she showcases by highlighting her track record of community projects and youthful leadership. Her deep roots within the local community are evident in her radio ads, where she passionately recites the pledge of the 4-H Club. This organization, known for its focus on agriculture and animal husbandry, is a popular choice among rural students for youth leadership and development.
Cooke’s school-age project continues to be embraced by the community and can still be seen as an integral part of Eau Claire’s streetscape today.
In sixth grade, Cooke recounted a tragic incident where a friend of hers was fatally hit by a car while attempting to cross a bustling highway. Motivated by this heartbreaking experience, Cooke and a group of classmates collaborated with an engineering company, actively advocating for the construction of an underpass beneath the highway. Their efforts involved engaging with the school board and city council, with the ultimate goal of improving pedestrian safety in their community.
“We built it during our high school years,” she mentioned. “And every one of us attended the groundbreaking ceremony.”
