In the election for Representative from Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District incumbent Derrick Van Orden is without doubt the better candidate! Van Orden, a retired Navy Seal campaigning on “Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness”, is completing his very successful first term in Congress.

I have heard it said that Van Orden has accomplished more for the 3rd District in his first term than his predecessor did in his entire career. Van Orden serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Through his efforts, members from each of those committees have come to the 3rd District to hold official public hearings on vital issues.

Looking at his web page, some of his featured interests are: Veterans Issues, Term Limits, Rebuilding the Economy, Leading With Integrity, An Education our Children Deserve, and, of course, Agriculture and Farming.

As a retired Navy Seal, Van Orden has travelled the world and has a concept of freedom few can match. He knows from experience that the United States is a shining light on a hill. He knows the need for a strong military and understands foreign affairs. Van Orden was recently endorsed by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who stated about Van Orden “…committed to ensuring everyone can achieve the American Dream.”

His opponent, Rebecca Cooke, on the other hand, has generated some serious concerns. While Cooke tries to paint herself as an outsider, she is anything but having been a political consultant that raised thousands of dollars for several Democratic congressional candidates in states from Florida to California.

Looking at her webpage, I found some questionable statements “written in my own words”. In the “Democracy Protection” section she stated that she would work to end Citizens United. Someone needs to explain to candidate Cooke both the First Amendment to the Constitution and that Citizens United is an organization with a freedom of speech. She can’t close it down without due process just because she may not like it.

In her “Strengthening our Education System” section she writes “Work with state legislators to advocate for removing the cost of living increases, but….” First, I wonder if she meant “legislators” or “legislatures” (or knows the difference). Then, I wonder why she wants to remove cost of living increases. I think Cooke would be a better candidate if she had served a term or two on a local school board.

One good point she makes is “Treat student loans like mortgage rates, offering the opportunity to refinance when interest rates decline.”

A few days after the August Primary, a local Democrat Party leader expressed disappointment that Katrina Shankland had lost and expressed concerns with Cooke.

The incumbent, Derrick Van Orden, is the much better candidate in this election contest. Join me in voting for Van Orden for Representative from Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District when you vote this fall. His demonstrated excellence deserves a second term!