Rebecca Cooke"s outsider campaign gains traction amid consulting ties

Rebecca Cooke has been involved in Democratic fundraising and consulting for over a decade, receiving substantial payments from various campaigns. She registered an LLC, Cooke Strategy, in Wisconsin in 2015, which advised multiple campaigns while she raised millions for congressional races. Recently, she was linked to a dark money group, Opportunity Wisconsin, which is a project of the North Fund, a nonprofit organization that funds left-wing causes and operates under 501(c)(4) status to protect donor identities. Cooke's campaign has faced scrutiny for her ties to this dark money group, which has been accused of misleading voters about its grassroots nature. Critics, including Republican spokespersons, argue that Cooke is attempting to conceal her extensive background in Democratic fundraising and consulting from voters. They assert that her portrayal as an outsider is disingenuous given her connections to established political networks. In her previous congressional run in 2022, Cooke served on the steering committee for Opportunity Wisconsin, which aims to advocate for economic policies benefiting working-class individuals. However, the organization lacks formal registration, existing only as a trade name under the North Fund, which has spent millions on political activities. Cooke has claimed that her experiences allow her to connect with moderate and independent voters, distancing herself from traditional career politicians. Despite her efforts to present an outsider image, her extensive ties to the Democratic establishment and dark money groups raise questions about her authenticity and commitment to transparency in her campaign.