Rebecca Cooke

Helping Rural Communities

Rebecca Cooke is a small business owner and nonprofit leader who grew up working on her family’s dairy farm in Eau Claire. From a young age, she helped with chores and trained calves for the fair, instilling a strong work ethic. Her commitment to community advocacy began in middle school when she successfully pushed for an underpass before the school board after a classmate was tragically killed by a car. Like many Wisconsin farm families, her parents worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, giving her a deep understanding of rural challenges. Throughout college, she worked at a nonprofit supporting low-income families and participated in a social justice program, reinforcing the values of hard work and service her parents taught her. Before returning home to Eau Claire, she helped elect Democrats across the country.

Small Business Leader

Upon her return home, Cooke used her savings to open a small retail business — Red’s Mercantile — that sourced goods from independent makers locally and throughout the country. She was inspired to help other local entrepreneurs and in 2016, she founded the Red Letter Grant, a nonprofit that supports and empowers female entrepreneurs by providing start-up capital, technical assistance, and authentic networking opportunities throughout a 10 county region of Western Wisconsin. The grant proved to be successful and has helped launch over 50 women-owned businesses. Gov. Tony Evers recognized Cooke’s tenacity and leadership and appointed her to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, making her the youngest appointee. She was a vocal member of the corporation and became co-chair of the newly formed Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee. Now, Cooke is running to bring that same commitment to serving others to Congress, where she will work to build a sustainable economy that benefits working families, strengthens our education system, and always protects our reproductive rights. 

Protect Our Rights: Flip it Blue

Rebecca Cooke is running for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Derrick Van Orden, an anti-abortion MAGA extremist and Jan. 6 rally attendee with close ties to Donald Trump. This seat is critical to win control of the House of Representatives and fight against extremism. We know Cooke has what it takes to win this critical rematch as we work to flip this seat and ensure our fundamental freedoms are protected.