Both campaigns and outside groups have released a new series of ads in the 3rd CD as spending continues in the most expensive House race in Wisconsin history.

AdImpact has tracked over $41.5 million in spending in the race, with nearly $21.4 million of that from Dem challenger Rebecca Cooke and her backers and $20.1 million from U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien and his backers.

The Dem-aligned House Majority PAC leads outside groups in spending with AdImpact tracking over $7.4 million in spending since the Aug. 11 primary. The GOP-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund is in second at over $6.1 million in spending since the primary, according to AdImpact.

Cooke also leads Van Orden in head-to-head spending at $6.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively. 

Over the past week the following spots have been released: 

  • A 30 second spot from Van Orden in which a man says “we can’t let the socialist crowd take over” and questions how “in the middle” Cooke’s policy platforms are. The spot is running in the La Crosse, Wausau and Eau Claire markets, and AdImpact has tracked over $155,000 of spending.
  • A 30 second spot from Cooke in which the nonprofit founder and waitress says “we need more working class people in D.C.” AdImpact has tracked nearly $115,000 in spending in the Eau Claire, La Crosse and Wausau media markets. 
  • A 30 second spot from the DCCC and Cooke campaign where the Dem challenger says Van Orden “carries water for the ultra elite in Washington” and that “they’re cutting healthcare to pay for a war in Iran that nobody voted for.” AdImpact has tracked over $155,000 in spending across the Wausau, La Crosse and Madison media markets so far. 
  • A 30 second spot from the conservative Safety and Affordability PAC in which the narrator announces Cooke “says she’s a waitress but is taking orders from liberal billionaire donors.” AdImpact has tracked a total of $4.2 million in spending from the group since the August primary.
  • A 30 second spot from CLF in which a dairy farmer claims Cooke will “say whatever she needs to say to get elected.” He goes on to say that Cooke supports welfare for “illegals” and “sex changes for kids.” AdImpact has tracked over $77,000 in spending across the Eau Claire, La Crosse and Wausau markets.
  • A 30 second spot from HMP urging viewers to “vote Van Orden out and stop the corruption that’s costing us.” The ad says the congressman voted to cut healthcare, continue the war in Iran and supported tariffs. So far HMP has spent over $450,000 on the spot in the Wausau, La Crosse and Eau Claire media markets, according to AdImpact.
  • Another 30 second spot from HMP claiming Van Orden is “making Washington work for himself”, has taken millions in special interest money and is using taxpayer dollars for “personal expenses.” AdImpact has tracked nearly $360,000 in spends across the Eau Claire, La Crosse and Wausau media markets.