Rebecca Cooke

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Rebecca Cooke completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-336188-2026-01-14\" id=\"heading-key-message-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-336188-2026-01-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-336188-2026-01-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Tackling the affordability crisis head-on with better wages, more economic opportunities and lower taxes for working families.</li><li>Making health care more affordable and more accessible.</li><li>Ending the culture of corruption in Washington.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-336188-2026-01-14\" id=\"heading1-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-336188-2026-01-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-336188-2026-01-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe affordability crisis we’re facing is because of decades of inaction from politicians in Washington DC. I am running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, put people first and provide more opportunities for success, and will be a relentless fighter for our way of life.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-336188-2026-01-14\" id=\"heading2-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-336188-2026-01-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-336188-2026-01-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-336188-2026-01-14\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am proud to have earned the trust of everyday people throughout the 3rd District, including working families, small business owners, educators, healthcare workers, and farmers. I am also honored to be endorsed in this cycle by a number of labor unions including: IBEW Wisconsin State Conference, Laborers Intl. Union of America, SMART Union, UFCW Local 1743, IUPAT and IUPAT District Councils 7 and 82. Additionally the House Blue Dogs, New Dems and Emily’s List are backing my candidacy as well as Congressional leaders like Senator Baldwin, Senator Slotkin, Cong. Budzinski, Cong. Davids and Cong. Lee and over 15 other members of Congress.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nRebecca Cooke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Tackling the affordability crisis head-on with better wages, more economic opportunities and lower taxes for working families. Making health care more affordable and more accessible. Ending the culture of corruption in Washington. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? The affordability crisis we’re facing is because of decades of inaction from politicians in Washington DC. I am running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, put people first and provide more opportunities for success, and will be a relentless fighter for our way of life. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? I am proud to have earned the trust of everyday people throughout the 3rd District, including working families, small business owners, educators, healthcare workers, and farmers. I am also honored to be endorsed in this cycle by a number of labor unions including: IBEW Wisconsin State Conference, Laborers Intl. Union of America, SMART Union, UFCW Local 1743, IUPAT and IUPAT District Councils 7 and 82. Additionally the House Blue Dogs, New Dems and Emily’s List are backing my candidacy as well as Congressional leaders like Senator Baldwin, Senator Slotkin, Cong. Budzinski, Cong. Davids and Cong. Lee and over 15 other members of Congress.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Video for Ballotpedia", "answer_html": "<div style=\"float:left\">\n<table cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"wikitable\" width=\"205\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td><div class=\"thumb embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"width: 258px;\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideowrap youtube\" style=\"width: 250px\"><iframe allow=\"accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"141\" loading=\"lazy\" modestbranding=\"1\" src=\"//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WjPL2rZ8o6A\" width=\"250\"></iframe></div><!--\n--></div><!--\n--></div><span style=\"font-size:80%\">Video submitted to Ballotpedia<br/>Released July 10, 2024</span>\n</td></tr></tbody></table></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Rebecca Cooke completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading-bio-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA small business owner, nonprofit leader and waitress, I have focused my career on building community and serving others. Born and raised on an Eau Claire dairy farm and appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, I know the economic and social challenges facing the small towns and rural communities for which I’ve fiercely advocated for, from the kitchen table to the board room. I worked my way through college with the help of Pell Grants, local scholarships, financial aid, and multiple jobs. After helping elect changemakers to public office, I came home to Eau Claire to start a small business and a nonprofit that provides start-up capital and hands-on education for women-owned businesses throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin. Now, I am running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, put people first and provide more opportunities for success, and be a relentless fighter for our way of life.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading-key-message-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Increasing Health Care Access and Affordability</li><li>Creating an Economy Built for Working Families</li><li>Protecting Reproductive Healthcare Freedoms</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading1-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, put people first and provide more opportunities for success, and will be a relentless fighter for our way of life.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading2-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe late Senator Paul Wellstone. He embodied rural populism and crafted policy that met the moment with a laser focus on delivering for working families, our rural communities, and small businesses which power our economies.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading3-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy lived experiences are what uniquely suit me to serve in office. We have too many elitists in Congress, and not enough working folks that have lived the struggles that everyday people face making ends meet. <br/><br/>\r\nEven while I am running for Congress, I waitress three days a week and run my non-profit Red Letter Grant which supports and empowers women entrepreneurs throughout 18 counties here in West Central Wisconsin by awarding start-up capital. To date, we’ve helped over 50 small businesses launch in rural communities throughout the last seven years. I understand the needs of my community and working class folks because that is my lived experience.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading4-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe that the core responsibilities of a member of Congress are to enact effective and pragmatic legislation which addresses the material needs of the constituents they represent, and to be a responsive advocate for specific casework needs with federal agencies and other institutions.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading5-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy campaign has been endorsed by over two dozen local small business owners, multiple local elected officials, the House Blue Dogs Coalition, the New Democrats Coalition, Communication Workers of America – District 4, WelcomePAC, Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp-Perez, Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressmen Jared Golden, Defend the Vote, and Tomorrow’s Jobs.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-200259-2024-07-15\" id=\"heading6-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-200259-2024-07-15\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-200259-2024-07-15\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-200259-2024-07-15\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’d like to serve on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Agriculture Committee. Growing up on a dairy farm and having run multiple small businesses, I can bring those experiences to the decision making table to advocate for family farms and mainstreets. For too long large agricultural conglomerates and large corporations have been price gouging consumers and leveraging their market share to engage in anti-competitive practices. It is past time that we had a Congress actively engaged in reducing the power of corporate monopolies and delivering for small businesses, working families, and small and midsize farms.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released July 10, 2024\n\n\nRebecca Cooke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. A small business owner, nonprofit leader and waitress, I have focused my career on building community and serving others. Born and raised on an Eau Claire dairy farm and appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, I know the economic and social challenges facing the small towns and rural communities for which I’ve fiercely advocated for, from the kitchen table to the board room. I worked my way through college with the help of Pell Grants, local scholarships, financial aid, and multiple jobs. After helping elect changemakers to public office, I came home to Eau Claire to start a small business and a nonprofit that provides start-up capital and hands-on education for women-owned businesses throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin. Now, I am running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, put people first and provide more opportunities for success, and be a relentless fighter for our way of life. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Increasing Health Care Access and Affordability Creating an Economy Built for Working Families Protecting Reproductive Healthcare Freedoms What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am running for Congress to better serve communities across Wisconsin, put people first and provide more opportunities for success, and will be a relentless fighter for our way of life. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? The late Senator Paul Wellstone. He embodied rural populism and crafted policy that met the moment with a laser focus on delivering for working families, our rural communities, and small businesses which power our economies. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? My lived experiences are what uniquely suit me to serve in office. We have too many elitists in Congress, and not enough working folks that have lived the struggles that everyday people face making ends meet. Even while I am running for Congress, I waitress three days a week and run my non-profit Red Letter Grant which supports and empowers women entrepreneurs throughout 18 counties here in West Central Wisconsin by awarding start-up capital. To date, we’ve helped over 50 small businesses launch in rural communities throughout the last seven years. I understand the needs of my community and working class folks because that is my lived experience. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? I believe that the core responsibilities of a member of Congress are to enact effective and pragmatic legislation which addresses the material needs of the constituents they represent, and to be a responsive advocate for specific casework needs with federal agencies and other institutions. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? My campaign has been endorsed by over two dozen local small business owners, multiple local elected officials, the House Blue Dogs Coalition, the New Democrats Coalition, Communication Workers of America – District 4, WelcomePAC, Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp-Perez, Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressmen Jared Golden, Defend the Vote, and Tomorrow’s Jobs. What committees interest you? I’d like to serve on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Agriculture Committee. Growing up on a dairy farm and having run multiple small businesses, I can bring those experiences to the decision making table to advocate for family farms and mainstreets. For too long large agricultural conglomerates and large corporations have been price gouging consumers and leveraging their market share to engage in anti-competitive practices. It is past time that we had a Congress actively engaged in reducing the power of corporate monopolies and delivering for small businesses, working families, and small and midsize farms.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Video for Ballotpedia", "answer_html": "<div style=\"float:left\">\n<table cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"wikitable\" width=\"205\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td><div class=\"thumb embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"width: 258px;\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideowrap youtube\" style=\"width: 250px\"><iframe allow=\"accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"141\" loading=\"lazy\" modestbranding=\"1\" src=\"//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/osz5iB6R2sE\" width=\"250\"></iframe></div><!--\n--></div><!--\n--></div><span style=\"font-size:80%\">Video submitted to Ballotpedia<br/>Released November 26, 2021</span>\n</td></tr></tbody></table></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Rebecca Cooke completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading-bio-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tRebecca Cooke is a small business owner and nonprofit leader who has focused her career on building community and serving others. Born and raised on an Eau Claire dairy farm and appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Rebecca knows the economic and social challenges facing the small towns and rural communities for which she’s fiercely advocated for, from the kitchen table to the board room. \r\n<p>Coming from a long tradition of Wisconsin farmers who value service and hard work, Rebecca was working on the farm at an early age and training calves to show at the fair by the time she was 7 years old. Like most Wisconsin farm families, it was a struggle to make ends meet, but they were the first to show up for neighbors in need. She was active in 4-H, showing cattle at fairs throughout the state, started waiting tables in high school, and launched a jelly business with her classmates at 16 years old. \r\n</p>\nRebecca worked her way through college with the help of Pell Grants, local scholarships, financial aid, and multiple jobs. After helping elect Democrats to public office, she came home to Eau Claire to start a small business and a nonprofit that provides start-up capital and hands-on education for women-owned businesses throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading-key-message-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Washington politicians have turned their backs on rural Wisconsinites. For decades, they’ve overpromised and underdelivered on policy, while selling us off to the highest bidder. Family farms are closing daily, small businesses are hurting, and our rights are under attack. We deserve a Congresswoman who understands the struggles that Wisconsin families face firsthand each and every day and has the lived experience to restore hope, our shared sense of community, and real representation for the hardworking people who keep our country going.</li><li>To build a vibrant and healthy shared future in which everyone can prosper, we need to invest in our rural communities who for far too long have been left behind by the rich and powerful. Our friends, families, and neighbors are endlessly creative people who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and solve problems. Rebecca will advance solutions that lift up western Wisconsin and keep our local economy moving forward.</li><li>The kitchen table is often the nucleus of the home — where families come together to reflect on their days at school or work, do their homework, share a joke, and break bread. It is also where far too many spend long hours stressing late into the night over household bills. Across our region, families are working harder and harder these days just to make ends meet as the prices of everyday goods continue to go up while large corporations report record-breaking profits. There’s something wrong with this picture.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading1-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs a small business owner herself, Rebecca also knows the barriers facing entrepreneurs, including access to capital, predatory lending, bureaucratic red tape, and recruiting and retaining staff. The pandemic has only worsened these challenges as many local businesses have struggled to stay afloat or been forced to close permanently, underscoring the need for a strong voice in Congress who sees the bigger picture. Rebecca understands that small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and she will fight tooth and nail to make sure Main Street gets the resources needed to not just survive, but thrive. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading2-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tRebecca got her first job off the farm as a server at Mike’s Smokehouse when she was 16 years old. While at North High School in Eau Claire, she was captain of the soccer team, started a business that made and packaged jelly, and launched a project that gave financial support to soldiers coming home from the Iraq war called Relief for the Red Arrows.<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading3-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI think we need leadership who understand kitchen table issues, because they have real lived experience. To me, being a US Congresswoman is about advocating for your community and I don't need previous government experience to do that.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading4-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would love to join the Small Business Committee. As the owner of a small business, I understand the challenge of running a small business through COVID..\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-103967-2021-12-02\" id=\"heading5-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-103967-2021-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-103967-2021-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-103967-2021-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWe need bi-partisan solutions to tackle the big challenges that this country faces.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released November 26, 2021\n\n\nRebecca Cooke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Rebecca Cooke is a small business owner and nonprofit leader who has focused her career on building community and serving others. Born and raised on an Eau Claire dairy farm and appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Rebecca knows the economic and social challenges facing the small towns and rural communities for which she’s fiercely advocated for, from the kitchen table to the board room. Coming from a long tradition of Wisconsin farmers who value service and hard work, Rebecca was working on the farm at an early age and training calves to show at the fair by the time she was 7 years old. Like most Wisconsin farm families, it was a struggle to make ends meet, but they were the first to show up for neighbors in need. She was active in 4-H, showing cattle at fairs throughout the state, started waiting tables in high school, and launched a jelly business with her classmates at 16 years old. Rebecca worked her way through college with the help of Pell Grants, local scholarships, financial aid, and multiple jobs. After helping elect Democrats to public office, she came home to Eau Claire to start a small business and a nonprofit that provides start-up capital and hands-on education for women-owned businesses throughout ten counties in western Wisconsin. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Washington politicians have turned their backs on rural Wisconsinites. For decades, they’ve overpromised and underdelivered on policy, while selling us off to the highest bidder. Family farms are closing daily, small businesses are hurting, and our rights are under attack. We deserve a Congresswoman who understands the struggles that Wisconsin families face firsthand each and every day and has the lived experience to restore hope, our shared sense of community, and real representation for the hardworking people who keep our country going. To build a vibrant and healthy shared future in which everyone can prosper, we need to invest in our rural communities who for far too long have been left behind by the rich and powerful. Our friends, families, and neighbors are endlessly creative people who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and solve problems. Rebecca will advance solutions that lift up western Wisconsin and keep our local economy moving forward. The kitchen table is often the nucleus of the home — where families come together to reflect on their days at school or work, do their homework, share a joke, and break bread. It is also where far too many spend long hours stressing late into the night over household bills. Across our region, families are working harder and harder these days just to make ends meet as the prices of everyday goods continue to go up while large corporations report record-breaking profits. There’s something wrong with this picture. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? As a small business owner herself, Rebecca also knows the barriers facing entrepreneurs, including access to capital, predatory lending, bureaucratic red tape, and recruiting and retaining staff. The pandemic has only worsened these challenges as many local businesses have struggled to stay afloat or been forced to close permanently, underscoring the need for a strong voice in Congress who sees the bigger picture. Rebecca understands that small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and she will fight tooth and nail to make sure Main Street gets the resources needed to not just survive, but thrive. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? Rebecca got her first job off the farm as a server at Mike’s Smokehouse when she was 16 years old. While at North High School in Eau Claire, she was captain of the soccer team, started a business that made and packaged jelly, and launched a project that gave financial support to soldiers coming home from the Iraq war called Relief for the Red Arrows. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? I think we need leadership who understand kitchen table issues, because they have real lived experience. To me, being a US Congresswoman is about advocating for your community and I don't need previous government experience to do that. If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of? I would love to join the Small Business Committee. As the owner of a small business, I understand the challenge of running a small business through COVID.. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? We need bi-partisan solutions to tackle the big challenges that this country faces.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]