Democratic candidates Rebecca Cooke, upper left, and Christian Phelps were among the winners in the Aug. 13 primary election in the Chippewa Valley. (Background photo by Andrea Paulseth)

Eau Claire’s Rebecca Cooke has emerged as the winner of the Democratic primary contest for the 3rd Congressional District seat, which serves the Chippewa Valley and much of western Wisconsin.

Cooke won about 50% of the vote in a three-way primary, defeating fellow Democrats Katrina Shankland and Eric Wilson, according to unofficial results tabulated by The Associated Press.

She will now face incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Prairie du Chien, who is completing his first term in Congress.

“Thank you to everyone across our district’s 19 counties who voted and made their voices heard in this election, and thank you for your trust as we look ahead to November,” Cooke said in a statement. “I applaud my primary opponents for stepping up to run in this critical race and am grateful for their support as we come together, ready to defeat Derrick Van Orden this fall.”

The congressional primary was one of the most high-profile races in the region on the Tuesday, Aug. 13, primary ballot. Here are other notable results in the Chippewa Valley:

93rd Assembly District

Christian Phelps defeated Nickolas Butler in the Democratic primary in the 93rd District of the state Assembly, which encompasses much of the southern part of the City of Eau Claire as well as portions of Eau Claire, Trempealeau, and Dunn counties. In an early-morning media release, Phelps thanked Butler for a positive campaign.

“We have waited a long time for a real shot at reinvesting in our public schools and universities, releasing healthcare funds and stabilizing access to mental and reproductive healthcare, climate-protection policies, and more,” he said. “This is our time, and we are ready to take it.”

The district is currently held by Republican Rep. Warren Petryk, who decided not to seek re-election. Republican candidate James Rolbiecki, who faced no opposition in the primary, will now face Phelps in the Nov. 5 general election.

91st Assembly District

Incumbent state Rep. Jodi Emerson, D-Eau Claire, and Republican hopeful Michele Magadance Skinner won their respective primaries unopposed, setting up a face-off in the Nov. 5 general election. The 91st District – which, like the rest of the state legislative map, was redrawn this year – now covers the eastern part of the City of Eau Claire as well as Altoona, Augusta, Fairchild, Fall Creek, and some nearby townships in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties.

Constitutional Amendments

Two amendments to the state constitution which would have limited the governor’s ability to use federal funds were defeated by Wisconsin voters. Preliminary results reported by The Associated Press indicated that about 58% of voters voted “no” vote on both amendments.

The amendments were put on the ballot by Republican state lawmakers, but were opposed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

For a roundup of other Wisconsin election results, visit WPR News.