Wisconsin 3rd District
Derrick Van Orden (R) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Derrick Van Orden
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 95 of 100 votes and bills.
Raised $9,101,596 since January 2025: 58% from people, 28% transfers and other income, 14% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov

Rebecca Cooke
Democrat · small business owner, two-time House candidate
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Cooke, and what Cooke has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Raised $12,675,997 since January 2025: 86% from people, 7% transfers and other income, 6% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Wisconsin: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Rebecca Cooke, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Cooke, so the grade above comes from this list: what Cooke has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Calls for ending the Iran war because of its cost to taxpayers and fuel prices.
“end the costly iran war, which is costing taxpayers $2 billion per day and driving gas and diesel prices through the roof.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
'End the war' with no policy, bill or vote named is unclear for anyone.
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In the October 2026 debate she called for a war powers resolution so that Congress decides when the country goes to war.
“We’ve got to have a war powers resolution and make sure that Congress is deciding when we go to war”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A war powers limit on the Iran war would be on the against side, but the quoted words do not themselves name Iran, so it does not settle.
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Said at a campaign event that the US should not send more military aid to the Netanyahu government.
“I don't think that we should send more military aid to the Netanyahu government invasion.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting off military aid to Israel is against liberty on free nations.
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Told Jewish Insider she strongly supports Israel's right to defend itself.
“My record is clear, I strongly support Israel's right to defend itself”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel's right to defend itself is with liberty on free nations.
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At the 3rd District candidate forum she said the US should keep standing up to Putin and keep a strong presence in Ukraine.
“I do think it’s important that we continue to stand up to bullies like President Putin”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Standing up to Putin and keeping a presence in Ukraine is with liberty on free nations.
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Calls for ending the use of tariffs.
“end the use of tariffs that have created trade tensions globally and cut off agricultural marketplaces.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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Says she will scrap the Social Security cap so higher earners pay more.
“scrap the cap on social security so that higher earners are paying their fair share and keeping the program solvent for all of us.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A higher tax on high earners is against liberty on free markets.
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Says she will cap out-of-pocket costs on essential drugs at $30 a month.
“cap out-of-pocket costs on essential drugs like insulin, asthma inhalers, and cancer medications at $30/month.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A price cap set by law is against liberty on free markets.
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Lists funding law enforcement and protecting the borders among her priorities.
“fully fund law enforcement to keep our communities safe and protect our borders.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
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At the same forum she said she does not support sanctuary cities.
“I do not support sanctuary cities.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing sanctuary policies is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Alexander Kent (Independent), Rustin Provance (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Wisconsin 3rd District
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