LA CROSSE, WI — Now that the primary is over, Rebecca Cooke is desperately attempting to convince Wisconsin voters she is a moderate who will listen to anyone, even people wearing MAGA hats.

Cooke went on MS NOW on primary election night and said, “If I see someone with a MAGA hat on, I’m shaking their hand.” 

Cooke’s campaign advertised her two day tour as free and open to the public, promoting it on social media and Mobilize with the message that “all are welcome.”

Fast forward to Monday, August 17, when a Stevens Point resident went to Cooke’s “Coming Together Tour” event after seeing a Fox News Digital report highlighting Cooke’s claim that she would shake hands with and listen to anyone, including someone wearing a MAGA hat.

But when the local resident arrived, she was immediately denied entry at the door. 

Notably, this is not the first time Rebecca Cooke has misrepresented Republican support for her campaign. In October 2024, Cooke posted a photo with two Van Orden supporters and falsely presented them as “Republicans for Cooke.” Within hours, the very people featured in Cooke’s post publicly pushed back, exposing her attempt to manufacture Republican support where it didn’t exist.

Rebecca Cooke has a long history of degrading Trump and MAGA supporters. 

  • In 2020, Cooke claimed that her hometown of Eau Claire was “racist” because “MAGA flags wave high in parts of this area.”
  • Cooke called Trump voters fascists.
  • Cooke pocketed thousands as a political consultant for Kirk Bangstad, the owner of Minocqua Brewing, who celebrated the assassination attempt against President Trump.
  • Cooke has used the word “MAGA” to attack Congressman Derrick Van Orden.

“Desperate candidates make cheap promises and Rebecca Cooke’s actions show exactly how little her words are worth. Cooke can put on the moderate costume, but underneath it is the same radical socialist Wisconsin voters have seen all along. Cooke’s moderate costume may be new, but there’s nothing underneath it except the same dirty political operative that will say anything for a promotion.” – Grace Kim, Campaign Spox