From Salon · Grace Panetta · · 3m
Rural Wisconsin Politics Shifts as AI Deepfakes Spark Debate
Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke faces Rep. Derrick Van Orden in a rural Wisconsin district where AI deepfakes and economic frustrations are reshaping the election.
In brief
Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke faces Rep. Derrick Van Orden in a rural Wisconsin district where AI deepfakes and economic frustrations are reshaping the election. Rebecca Cooke, a sixth-generation Wisconsinite running against Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, is gaining rural voter…
Rural Wisconsin Politics
In rural Wisconsin, politics is still about meeting voters online, it’s getting weird.
Cooke Campaign Strategy
Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Cooke chats with constituents at the Gays Mills Apple Festival in Wisconsin on September 27, 2026.
Van Orden’s Campaign
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, faces criticism for inflammatory remarks about women and social issues.
Economic Frustrations
Rural voters cite high costs of living and Trump’s economic policies as reasons for supporting Cooke over Van Orden.
AI Deepfakes
Van Orden posts AI-generated deepfakes of Cooke on social media, which Cooke’s campaign calls misleading.
Cooke’s Background
Rebecca Cooke, a sixth-generation Wisconsinite, grew up on a family dairy farm and now runs a nonprofit focused on economic development.
Van Orden’s Controversies
Van Orden has a history of making inflammatory statements about women and has been criticized by the Wisconsin Muslim Alliance.
Midterm Dynamics
Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District is a battleground where Democrats see momentum due to economic frustrations and Van Orden’s controversial record.
AI Campaign Tactics
Van Orden uses AI tools to create deepfake videos of Cooke, depicting her as an indignant red duck.
Voter Sentiment
Local voters in Gays Mills support Cooke over Van Orden, citing economic issues and Van Orden’s extreme policies.
Campaign Strategy
Cooke focuses on rural communities and economic issues, avoiding ideological pigeonholing to build a "big tent" for Democrats.
Data Center Debate
Cooke supports a federal moratorium on new data centers, while Van Orden opposes it, sparking a cross-partisan backlash.
Legal Action
Cooke’s campaign sent Van Orden a cease-and-desist letter over AI-generated deepfakes he posted of her.
Van Orden’s Response
Van Orden calls Cooke’s campaign tactics a "stunt" and accuses her of running false ads about his record.
Election Outcome
Cooke outperformed Vice President Kamala Harris in the district, signaling strong support among rural voters.
What Happens Next
The election in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District will determine whether Democrats gain a seat in the House of Representatives.
The takeaway
Rebecca Cooke, a sixth-generation Wisconsinite running against Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, is gaining rural voter support through economic concerns and authenticity, while Van Orden’s AI-generated deepfakes of Cooke intensify the campaign.
