Cooke picks up endorsement from Sanders

Senator Bernie Sanders is endorsing Rebecca Cooke in the race for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.

A news release from the Cooke campaign said the Vermont Senator and former presidential candidate was backing her.

It quoted Sanders, “I am proud to endorse Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. At a time when the very rich are getting much richer while 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, we need fighters in Congress who will stand up for working families and take on the greed of powerful special interests. And that’s what Rebecca will do,” said Senator Sanders.  “Rebecca is a working class fighter who developed her populist roots in rural Western Wisconsin. A daughter of farmers, a waitress and a small business owner – she’s lived through failed policies from Washington elites and is ready to deliver tangible outcomes that working people will actually feel. She will be an ally to me in the House as she works to enforce antitrust laws against corporate monopolies that have bankrupted family farms like hers, raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage and expand Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing. Rebecca and I share a common goal – building opportunities for the working class. I believe as my partner in Congress she will do just that.” 

Cooke said she was honored to receive the endorsement, calling Sanders a true champion of the working class.

“Senator Sanders cuts through the fray of Washington because he’s not afraid to speak truth to power of elite political establishments. He’s spent his career fighting for the same values that drive our campaign here in Wisconsin’s Third District: putting people over politics, taking on corporate greed, and building a future that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected,” said Cooke. “I’m proud to stand alongside Senator Sanders in this fight, and I’m more determined than ever to bring a working-class voice to Congress.”

This is Cooke’s third attempt at winning the 3rd Congressional District seat. She lost in November 2024 to incumbent Derrick Van Orden. Cooke lost in the Democratic primary in 2022.

She currently has two other challengers for the Democratic nomination for the November 2026 race-Laura Benjamin and Emily Berge.

The 3rd District is expected to be one of the more competitive races next year.