LA CROSSE, WI. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden today issued a statement, challenging Democrat Rebecca Cooke to join him on a debate stage before Wisconsin voters.

The challenge comes as Van Orden raises concerns about Democratic Party insiders determining nominees rather than allowing a true primary in Wisconsin’s Third District.

You can find Van Orden’s full statement below:

“With the latest political skulduggery in Wisconsin, it has become abundantly clear that rank-and-file Democrats have no choice in who their nominee will be in Wisconsin’s Third District.

Party insiders anointed Harris, Platner, Crowley, and now Cooke. I’m done pretending this is a legitimate primary.

I’m challenging Rebecca Cooke to debate now.

Rebecca Cooke has spent six years selling an image of a struggling waitress and working-class outsider fighting for everyday Wisconsinites. Yet behind that carefully crafted image is a longtime political fundraiser and consultant who has spent years pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars serving coastal elites. Today, Cooke owns two waterfront properties while portraying herself as an everywoman struggling to get by. And despite branding herself as moderate, her public positions have flip-flopped when politically convenient and her endorsements lie with the national progressive left rather than the priorities of rural Wisconsin.

For six years, Cooke has spent dodging hard questions from the public. If the image she’s spent years promoting is accurate, she should have no problem defending it. If it isn’t, Wisconsin voters deserve to know before they cast their ballots. Let’s have that conversation on a debate stage.

It’s time for ‘No Comment Cooke’ to stop dodging questions and start answering them.”