A waitress campaigning for a Congressional seat in Wisconsin’s third district has been linked to two progressive organizations associated with billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Foundation.
Rebecca Cooke, who presents herself as a working-class outsider with a background as a waitress, small-business owner, and nonprofit leader from a dairy farm, disclosed her financial ties shortly after Wisconsin’s primary on August 13. She reported earning over $5,000 from both Third Way and the Pipeline Fund, organizations known for their connections to Soros’ network.
The Open Society network allocated $1 million to Third Way’s research division from 2023 to 2024, alongside a $1.4 million contribution to the Pipeline Fund from the Open Society Action Fund in 2024.
Soros has notably contributed over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundation, which has championed various leftist causes such as policing reform and LGBTQ rights. His son, Alex Soros, has been managing the foundation since 2022.
While the financial disclosure forms indicate that Cooke received significant amounts from these groups, they do not provide specific figures. A spokesperson from Third Way confirmed that Cooke was paid $30,000 to focus on amplifying the voices of working-class Americans in decision-making processes.
Additionally, the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a grant-making wing of Soros’ initiatives, awarded $500,000 to the Third Way Institute, which functions as Third Way’s 501(c) research component, in both 2023 and 2024. The institute transferred almost all of its spending to Third Way in 2024 to support various charitable and educational efforts.
The Pipeline Fund, established to support progressive candidates, became independent in 2024 after separating from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has also benefitted from Soros’ backing. Records reveal that the Pipeline Fund received about $1.4 million directly from the Open Society Action Fund and approximately $2.26 million from the Sixteen Thirty Fund during the same period.
Cooke had previously operated her own Democratic campaign consulting firm from 2015 until her recent Congressional bid, working on numerous state and federal campaigns. Critics, including the National Republican Congressional Committee, have labeled her a political operative for the far left, asserting that her agenda is too extreme for the region.
Her financial disclosure was delayed until two days after the primary, following an extension she requested earlier. All candidates raising or spending over $5,000 are required to submit such forms 30 days prior to elections.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican, criticized Cooke’s delay in transparency, arguing it undermined her credibility among voters. He emphasized the responsibility candidates have to provide clarity about their finances.
In response, Cooke has insisted that her disclosures demonstrate her commitment as a working-class individual. She highlighted the unique difficulties faced by someone like her in running for office while working hourly jobs without access to health insurance.
Fox News Digital reached out to get comments from the Open Society Foundation, Cooke’s campaign, and the Pipeline Fund.
