Democratic Congressional candidates in western Wisconsin tout platforms at final forum before primary

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLCX) – The three Democratic candidates for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District appeared at the fourth and final pre-primary forum in Eau Claire on Tuesday.

Rebecca Cooke, Katrina Shankland, and Eric Wilson spoke about their platforms and offered reasons about who voters should pick to run against incumbent Republican Derrick Van Orden.

[podcast src="https://civicmedia.us/shows/special-broadcasts/2024/07/17/3rd-congressional-district-candidate-forum-4-of-4"]

All three had some differing views on certain issues, but all agreed that the eventual primary winner would be their preferred option in Congress ahead of Van Orden.

On the issues, Wilson supported typically progressive ideas such as Medicare for All and ending Citizens United. He also stated, as he has at other forum stops, that he was the most progressive choice on the primary ballot and that he didn’t think it was the right time to send a moderate to office.

Shankland leaned on her experience and endorsements in appealing to voters ahead of the primary, citing her legislative record in Wisconsin and the work she’s already done on several of the topics brought up during the forum.

Cooke used her life experience as a small business owner and nonprofit leader to show how she can be effective in Congress, and said that regardless of who wins the primary, the Democratic candidate needs to win in the general election.

All three candidates said they would endorse the primary winner on August 13 and work to get the Democratic candidate elected in November.

The trio also each said that they were running grassroots campaigns and wanted to get corporate money out of politics.

The forum, held at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, is the last event before next month’s primary being held by the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional Democrats.

Republican Derrick Van Orden said at the Republican National Convention this week that he would only agree to a debate with the winner of the Democratic primary under certain conditions. He did not debate his 2022 opponent, Brad Pfaff, before winning that election.

Following publication of this story, a spokesperson for Katrina Shankland asked to note that Shankland has been endorsed by End Citizens United and initially encouraged her fellow candidates to make the pledge not to take corporate PAC money.

You can listen to the forum on the free Civic Media app here.