Wisconsin House Race Heats Up

In a significant primary contest on Tuesday, Wisconsin Democrat state Rep. Katrina Shankland was defeated by local business owner Rebecca Cooke, setting the stage for a competitive race against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in the upcoming November elections. Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, previously flipped the seat from Democratic control in 2022, narrowly defeating state Sen. Brad Pfaff after longtime incumbent Ron Kind opted not to seek reelection. Pfaff has since announced he will not challenge Van Orden in 2024. The Democratic primary between Cooke and Shankland turned contentious in its final days, with outside super PACs injecting funds into Cooke's campaign. Shankland criticized this influx of money, emphasizing her legislative experience. Political science professor Anthony Chergosky noted that the heightened stakes of potentially unseating Van Orden have intensified the competition, leading to a more aggressive campaign tone compared to previous primaries. Cooke emerged victorious with 49.1% of the vote, as reported by the Associated Press shortly after 11:45 p.m. Eastern time. Meanwhile, Van Orden ran unopposed in his primary, solidifying his position as the incumbent. Since his election, he has aligned closely with former President Donald Trump, who supported his 2022 campaign, but has faced backlash for his actions during the January 6 Capitol attack and other controversies. As the race heats up, Democrats are gearing up to challenge Van Orden, who won his seat by over four points in 2022. The Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District is now viewed as a prime target for Democrats aiming to regain control of the House.