Rebecca Cooke defeats Emily Berge in Democratic primary to advance to the November election in the 3rd Congressional District

Aug. 12, 2026

Cooke, a former Democratic fundraiser and small-business owner, defeated former Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Berge ran an underdog, insurgent campaign against Cooke, who was more well-known and better financed.

Cooke narrowly lost to Republican Derrick Van Orden in 2024 and also ran in 2022 but lost in the Democratic primary that year.

Van Orden is one of Trump’s biggest supporters but will face a tough reelection bid in a narrowly divided district in a year where Trump’s approval ratings are low in Wisconsin.

Cooke beat Berge in all 19 counties of the district except in Eau Claire County where Berge won by about 3.4 percent. Cooke won Vernon County by about 13.4 percent.

To see all of the results in more detail you can go to our Associated Press election results page here.