Rebecca Cooke Triumphs Over Derrick Van Orden: Republicans’ Disastrous Energy Policy Cost Them Election

EAU CLAIRE, WI — Tonight, Democrat Rebecca Cooke defeated Republican Derrick Van Orden in a historic victory for the people of Wisconsin. By electing Cooke to the House of Representatives, Wisconsinites made their disapproval of Republicans’ energy policy known: from the war in Iran driving up gas and diesel prices to clean energy cuts and data centers with no guardrails that drove up utility bills. A recent Marquette poll found concern about inflation and the cost of living is the leading issue for Wisconsin voters this election, with 45% ranking it as their number one issue. 

Time and time again, Republicans like Van Orden blocked the path to cheaper, faster, cleaner energy, and now Wisconsin families, farmers, and businesses are paying for it three times over — at the pump, on their utility bills, and through the data centers polluting their communities. Cooke will tackle corporate greed and pollution, put guardrails on utility bill-raising, polluting data centers, and lower utility costs by investing in made-in-Wisconsin, affordable clean energy.

Cooke said it best during the candidate forum: “We have seen this war in Iran increase input prices, which we talked about already from diesel and fertilizer. People are really getting squeezed at every turn. Our agricultural community is and we have Derrick Van Orden to blame and this administration for making it harder for folks to get by. We’ve seen bankruptcies, farm bankruptcies increase from 2024 to 2026 under Derrick Van Orden and this administration’s leadership.”

“The people of Wisconsin deserve leaders who are looking out for their best interests and ensuring they can afford to fill their gas tank and keep their lights on, and that’s why they elected Rebecca Cooke,” said Climate Power’s Eastern Hub Director Michelle Hernandez. “Derrick Van Orden and his fellow Republicans rubber-stamped Trump’s agenda at every turn, and now they’re paying the price. Wisconsinites need relief from skyrocketing costs, and Rebecca Cooke will work to bring down costs for Wisconsin families, farmers, and businesses.”

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