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.
No episode found
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.
Civic Media's Luke Mathers and James Kelly contributed to this story.
Pike Lake Annual Fun Day
9/6/2024 | Austin Brumet
The Pike Lake Volunteer Fire Department hosted their annual Fun Day, bringing in crowds of attendees in support of the department.
Lugerville Church Set to Close
9/6/2024 | Austin Brumet
Park Falls, Wis. (WCQM/WPFP) – Our Savior’s Episcopal Church in Lugerville, will be closing. They were the first established church in Lugerville when they were first founded in 1938 and moved locations several times until 1949 when the church acquired the former South Fork School. The building was then moved ten miles to Lugerville, where […]
Governor Tim Walz Discusses Rural America and the 2024 Election on The Chad Holmes Show
9/6/2024 | Teri Barr
The Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee talks about his rural roots, bipartisanship, and what he orders at Culver’s on WXCO Radio.
Wisconsin’s long-term care crisis: Staffing troubles, low Medicaid rates prompt closures
9/6/2024 | Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch and WPR
Low state reimbursement rates through Medicaid have depressed provider revenue and worker pay at assisted living facilities.
Madison Police Chief Calls for Police Officers to Return to MMSD Schools
9/6/2024 | Savanna Tomei-Olson
MADISON, Wis. – Madison’s police chief has called for resource officers to return to the city’s schools. On Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy shot and killed four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Nine more were hurt. School resource officers were able to find the shooter within minutes, and he surrendered. Madison Police Chief […]
