Van Orden Files to Run for Wisconsin Seat
Former Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden filed with the Federal Election Commission to seek Wisconsin's 3rd District seat again in 2028.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Elections
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Derrick Van Orden filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission to run for Wisconsin's 3rd US House District in 2028, three days after losing the seat to Democrat Rebecca Cooke by 21,884 votes in the 2026 midterm election.
Why it matters
Wisconsin's 3rd and 1st Districts are the state's only two competitive congressional seats, so the rematch carries weight for control of the House. Outcomes in 2028 will depend heavily on presidential politics, and redistricting of these districts could also be a factor.
Van Orden's 2026 loss flipped the margin from his 2024 win, which was 2.7 percent or 11,256 votes. Democratic legislative leaders declined to say whether they intend to redraw congressional maps, and six of Wisconsin's eight districts are gerrymandered for the parties.
The players
Derrick Van Orden
Former Republican U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd District who lost his seat in 2026 and is seeking to win it back.
Rebecca Cooke
Democrat who defeated Van Orden in the 2026 midterm election and is the incoming congresswoman for Wisconsin's 3rd District.
The details
Van Orden filed with the Federal Election Commission Friday to seek the seat again in 2028. Cooke posted on social media that she was headed to Washington, D.C., for freshmen orientation after her win.
Timeline
2024: Van Orden defeated Cooke by 11,256 votes.
November 6, 2026: Cooke defeated Van Orden in the midterm election.
Friday, three days after the midterm: Van Orden filed with the FEC for 2028.
2028: Van Orden seeks to retake the seat in the presidential-year election.
Political Context
The 2024 race, which Van Orden won by 2.7 percent, set the pattern that the 2026 midterm reversed when Cooke won by 6.6 percent. Because the 2028 contest falls in a presidential year, its outcome may depend more on presidential politics than on the 2026 midterm result.
For Wisconsin voters in the 3rd District, the rematch means the seat's representation could change again depending on the 2028 result. Voters in the state's two competitive districts will see their races weigh heavily in national House control.
The takeaway
A seat that flipped in 2026 is already headed for a rematch, showing how narrow margins in Wisconsin keep congressional races competitive. Voters should expect the 2028 contest to be shaped by presidential-year dynamics rather than the midterm result.
Further reading
For more on the state's races, see Wisconsin Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WIZM 92.3FM 106.7FM 1410AM.
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