Wisconsin's 3rd District becomes key 2026 midterm battleground

The race for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District has emerged as a critical battleground for the 2026 midterm elections. Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden is facing a challenge from Democrat Rebecca Cooke in a contest currently rated as a toss-up.

House Speaker Mike Johnson recently held a rally in Sparta to support Van Orden, describing the district as one of the “top three race[s] in America.” Johnson urged Republican supporters to act as “warriors” against what he characterized as the Democratic Party’s move toward communism. Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, has centered his campaign on motivating the conservative base and framing the election as a struggle against socialism.

Cooke, a former small-business owner and waitress, is running on a platform of lower costs, increased federal funding for Planned Parenthood, and a $15 federal minimum wage. While she is not a Democratic Socialist, she has received an endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders. Her campaign strategy focuses on connecting with working-class voters through issues such as dairy farming and economic stability.