Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Faces Backlash Over Event Incident

Rebecca Cooke, a Democrat running for Congress in Wisconsin, is confronting criticism for her recent attempts to engage voters from different political backgrounds. This scrutiny intensified after a Trump supporter was denied entry to a campaign event that was advertised as open to all.

On primary night, Cooke expressed her willingness to meet all voters, stating, “If I see someone with a MAGA hat on, I’m shaking their hand.” Following this, her campaign organized a “Coming Together Tour,” promoting it as “free and open to the public” and encouraging everyone to attend.

However, last week, a resident from Stevens Point, donning a MAGA hat and an American flag, attempted to attend one of these events but was turned away at the door. This was surprising to the individual, especially given Cooke’s previous comments about welcoming MAGA supporters.

This incident isn’t the first time Cooke’s claims about bipartisan support have come under fire. Recently, she shared a photo featuring two supporters of her opponent, presenting them as “Republicans for Cooke.” The individuals later voiced their frustration, stating they did not agree with her representation and were actually supporting Derrick Van Orden.

Cooke has also faced backlash for her comments about her hometown, Eau Claire, which she labeled “racist” due to the prevalence of MAGA flags. She has frequently used the term “MAGA” to critique her opponent, and worked alongside Kirk Bangstad, who faced criticism for celebrating an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.

In response to the criticisms, RNC spokesman Hunter Lovell remarked that Cooke cannot escape her identity as a far-left Democrat, stating, “Rural Wisconsin voters can see straight through Cooke’s election-year charade.”

As she campaigns once more against Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District—having lost to him by 2.7 points in the previous election—Cooke emphasizes her capacity to connect with “swing, moderate, and independent voters.”

Despite positioning herself as a political outsider, Cooke’s background reveals years of experience as a Democrat strategist. Reports indicate she has been involved in political fundraising since 2012 and founded her own consulting firm, Cooke Strategy. Financial records indicate she has earned significant sums from several campaigns while her organization, the Red Letter Grant, distributed grants to businesses during her tenure.

In June, it was also reported that Cooke received an endorsement from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which opposed various policies under the Trump administration, particularly concerning regulations on commercial truck drivers. This union’s concerns were especially pronounced during enforcement actions that apprehended illegal drivers.