Rebecca Cooke

Rebecca Cooke (born December 21, 1987) is an American nonprofit founder, waitress, and political candidate. A member of the Democratic Party and a self-described Blue Dog, she was an unsuccessful candidate for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district in 2022 and 2024. She is running for the seat again in 2026.

Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Cooke graduated from the University of St. Thomas before becoming a political consultant for national campaigns. She later moved back to her hometown, where she opened a home goods store and founded a nonprofit to support female business owners. From 2019 to 2021, Cooke served on the board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Early life and education Rebecca Cooke was born on December 21, 1987, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the youngest of three children in a dairy farming family. She is a descendant of abolitionist Chauncey Cooke. and was the president of her local 4-H club. While attending North High School, she began working as a waitress. Cooke later moved to Minnesota to study at the University of St. Thomas, where she attained a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Career After graduating, Cooke worked as a fundraiser for national campaigns. From 2012, she served as finance director for four congressional campaigns in four U.S. states. In 2014, and began to work as a political consultant. Between 2015 and 2021, Cooke's consulting firm advised eight political campaigns. In 2022, Cooke closed her home goods store.

Congressional campaigns 2022

Cooke ran for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district in 2022, coming second in the Democratic primary to state senator Brad Pfaff. Running as a Blue Dog Democrat, Cooke campaigned on improving the economy, lowering healthcare costs, and investing in infrastructure. Cooke campaigned as a moderate Democrat, and pledged to join the centrist Blue Dog Coalition if elected, though she emphasized her support for abortion rights and healthcare reform. while over-performing Kamala Harris's margins in the concurrently-held presidential election. Considered the front-runner in the Democratic primary, earning the support of both the New Democrat Coalition and the Blue Dog Caucus.

Prior to her victory in the August 11 Democratic primary, Cooke confirmed that the 2026 election would be her final attempt to run for the seat. After becoming the Democratic nominee, Cooke was described by the libertarian magazine Reason as "a straight shooter in a district that probably needs that type of candidate."

Political views Cooke identifies as a centrist, and has repeatedly confirmed she plans to caucus with the Blue Dogs if elected. Cooke has criticized the national Democratic Party's public image, A supporter of universal background checks,

Cooke is pro-choice,

Cooke supported the 2026 United States intervention in Venezuela and the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro, though she criticized the Trump administration's lack of a "concrete plan for stability" in the country. She has opposed foreign ownership of American farmland, and criticized tariffs imposed by the Trump administration for causing family farm bankruptcies.

Personal life Cooke lives in Colfax, Wisconsin, and is a senior visiting fellow at Third Way, a centrist think tank. She is a personal friend of U.S. representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Electoral history 2022

2024

2026