Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
45.5%
48.3%
Republican
Incumbent
IncumbentDerrick Van Orden
Incumbent Republican candidate for U.S. House in Wisconsin
$70.2K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — WI-03 House winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
32%chance to win
$70.2KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age56 years old (Sep 15, 1969)
GenderMale
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LocationWisconsin
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationExcelsior University — B.S.
Notable personal detailsDerrick Francis Van Orden is a Republican member of the U.S. House representing Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, first elected in 2022 and serving since January 3, 2023. He is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL senior chief petty officer who served from 1988 to 2014. He earned a B.S. from Excelsior University and has also worked as an actor and business owner.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govclerk.house.govcongress.govwikidata.orgen.wikipedia.orgvanordenforcongress.comvanorden.house.govde.wikipedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnews.bgov.comlegilist.comivoterguide.comvanoord.comquiverquant.comco.monroe.wi.usarxiv.orggovinfo.govmedia.defense.govepub.stripes.comweau.comthedailybeast.comwbay.comwsaw.comwispolitics.comwdez.comwisconsinindependent.compolitifact.complannedparenthoodaction.orgapnews.comclimatepower.uswpr.orgwashingtonpost.comballotpedia.orgspectrumnews1.comurbanmilwaukee.comwisconsinexaminer.comjsonline.comthecentersquare.comcaptimes.comwisconsinwatch.orgnbcnews.compbs.orgwisaflcio.orglocalcandidates.orgfacebook.comballotready.orgveterans.house.goveqs.fec.govfec.govdocquery.fec.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax cuts and permanence of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, favors removing estate/death tax and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and voted for legislation described as providing broad tax relief for families, seniors, small businesses, and farmers. Emphasizes reducing tax burdens and delivering tax relief to constituents while supporting related budget legislation.
Healthcare
Derrick Van Orden has supported legislation and budget provisions that reduce federal Medicaid and SNAP funding and has voted for a reconciliation bill described by nonpartisan analysts as cutting Medicaid coverage for millions. He has framed those changes as protecting program integrity and prioritizing funding adjustments while urging state action to align budgets with federal provisions. He has also proposed tying state SNAP cost-sharing to error rates and supported the One, Big, Beautiful Bill that his office says strengthens certain Medicaid provisions while the bill’s opponents say it en
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement measures, including reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, increased resources for Border Patrol, and tougher controls on asylum processing; emphasizes stopping illegal crossings and reducing fentanyl trafficking. Expresses concern about criminal entries and the use of federal resources for migrants while advocating tighter immigration law enforcement and legal pathways that prioritize security.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Derrick Van Orden identifies as 100% pro-life, says life begins at conception, and has supported strict limits on abortion including criminal penalties for providers and opposition to exceptions. He has called for bans and has a voting record opposing reproductive health protections.
Climate & Energy
Supports expanded domestic energy production and energy independence, emphasizes use of domestic biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel) and year-round E-15 availability, and opposes federal subsidies for electric vehicle purchases. Positions favor market-driven production and transitional use of low-carbon fuels while prioritizing domestic fossil-fuel and biofuel production over aggressive federal clean-energy mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong Second Amendment protections and opposes efforts to restrict gun ownership; positions align with pro-gun groups and the NRA. Campaign materials emphasize defending the right to keep and bear arms and include affiliation with a “Second Amendment Coalition.”
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 16, 2026
Derrick Van Orden is back in a competitive rematch for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, where Democrat Rebecca Cooke has now won the primary and will face him in the general election. The race is being closely watched because the district is considered a toss-up and Van Orden won it in 2024 by less than 3 points. Recent coverage says the campaign is centered on affordability, immigration, and data centers, with both candidates offering sharply different plans.
history.house.gov+49
Articles
WWEAU3 days ago
DECISION 2026: Cooke, Van Orden agree on pocketbook pressures, split over causes and solutions
Neutral
WWEAU6 days ago
A rematch in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District
Neutral
WWEAU7 days ago
WEAU political analyst John Frank recaps partisan primary big wins for Cooke, Tiffany and Crowley
Neutral
CNCable News Network7 days ago
Another Democratic nail-biter in Wisconsin and other takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries
Neutral
Latest Polls
WI-03 House winner?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Derrick Van Orden currently averages 45.5%, ranking second in this race, 2.8 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 45.5%Position: secondMargin: -2.8 ptsLatest poll: 46.0% (Jun 20 - 25)Polls included: 4
Average recalculated from polls through Jun 20 - 25.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$7.7M
$5.7M
$3.8M
$1.9M
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$6.5M
$177.7K
$6.3M
$263.1K
Cycle 2024
$7.7M
$516.8K
$7.3M
$305.0K
Cycle 2026
$7.5M
$4.7M
$3.4M
$177.1K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements