LA CROSSE. — Congressman Derrick Van Orden released the following statement after Rebecca Cooke filed her financial disclosure two days after the primary.

“Rebecca Cooke has spent six years building a political persona around being the struggling waitress just trying to get by. Now her own financial disclosure shows she makes more than six times from her political ventures than she does waiting tables.

For months, Democrats and Republicans across the Third District called on Cooke to release her financial disclosures. She had every opportunity to be transparent with voters. Instead, she chose to keep them hidden until after the primary.

That tells Wisconsin voters everything they need to know about Rebecca Cooke’s character. She was willing to deceive her own party to protect the political persona she built and gain political power. Wisconsin voters should be asking what else she’ll hide if given the power to represent them.

The curtain is finally up, and Wisconsin voters can see the person behind the political mask.” said Van Orden.

BACKGROUND:

  • Rebecca Cooke filed an extension for 90 days for her personal financial disclosures which allowed her to file two days after the primary
  • In 2024, Cooke’s financial disclosure exposed thousands of dollars in political consulting income and two lavish waterfront properties

Cooke’s 2026 PFD filing reveals:

  • $60,000 in employment income from consulting
  • A waterfront rental property
  • Income from left wing political think tanks

Additional analysis of Cooke’s financial disclosure will be forthcoming.