From Bob Gates

Platteville

To the Editor:

I have followed the race between Rebecca Cooke and Emily Berge in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District (WI-03) and have found that some voters underestimate the importance of this election and that many comments and posts contain misinformation.

This election is of national significance as the outcome may affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives. Consequently, it has attracted attention and money from outside WI-03. The fact that this “outside” money is going to Cooke indicates that she has garnered national respect and that donors believe she can win in November. Berge stated that she only takes donations from local donors, but then said that the “(outside) money will come” if she wins the primary. One can’t have it both ways.

Cooke’s political connections outside WI-03 have also been portrayed negatively by some writers. These connections will enable Cooke to win in November and be an effective freshman Congresswoman.

Another misconception is that Rebecca Cooke takes money from corporate PACs. Actually, Cooke has signed a pledge not to accept money from corporate PACs and her funds have come from individual donors and non-corporate political action committees for labor unions, like the IBEW or Laborers, and groups such as the voting rights organization Defend the Vote or Elect Democratic Women, an organization committed to supporting female Democratic Candidates.

Berge’s website perpetuates the misconception by stating “This campaign is people powered. Emily has never accepted corporate PAC money” and in a Facebook post she writes, “I’m not taking money from corporate PACs, so I have nowhere else to turn.” These statements imply that donations only come from individuals or corporate PACs and that Rebecca Cooke accepts corporate PAC money. Whether or not these implications are intentionally deceptive, they are inaccurate and misleading.

Finally, many posts refer to the 2024 election and do not consider the recent change in political climate. In 2024, frustration with the “Biden economy”, the selection of Kamala Harris and the fascination with Donald Trump all cost Democratic candidates votes, yet Cooke only lost to incumbent Derek Van Orden by a narrow margin (48.6% to 51.3%). None of these factors are at play in 2026.

If Democrats truly want to win in November, we need a candidate who is not only qualified, but has the funds and the network to get elected. That candidate is Rebecca Cooke.