EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. – Today, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) announced their endorsement of small business owner, nonprofit leader, and waitress Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District. SMART, which represents more than 230,000 members in the sheet metal and transportation industries, is the first labor organization to endorse in the race.
“SMART is proud to endorse Rebecca’s candidacy for Congress in Wisconsin’s Third District. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to her community and understands how important it is that our representatives reflect where they come from. Now more than ever, we need people in Congress who understand what the ability to form a union and bargain for better wages and working conditions really means in their lives,” said Stephen Dodd, SMART Director of Government Affairs. “As a member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Rebecca helped provide opportunities for workers across the state to get ahead and connect with the training they need. We know Rebecca will stand for our apprenticeship programs and the strong labor standards we’ve fought for generations to establish and be a champion for all working families in Wisconsin. We look forward to working together to give our members and their families in Western Wisconsin a partner in Congress.”
“I am so grateful to have SMART by my side in this race and will be a tireless advocate for worker safety and rights in Congress,” said Cooke. “While far right radicals like Derrick Van Orden attack workers’ rights and put big corporations’ interests over the people they are supposed to serve, I am running for Congress to put people first. I understand the challenges facing working families, and we deserve a seat at the decision-making table.”
Earlier this month, Cooke launched her campaign following a closely watched 2024 race in which she significantly outperformed top-of-the-ticket Democrats, running ahead of Vice President Harris by 4.6 points (Trump +7.4) and Senator Baldwin by 1.2 points (Hovde +4). Despite a challenging environment for Democrats and a mid-August primary, Cooke nearly won in November (48.6% Cooke-51.4% Van Orden). She is building and growing a strong coalition of support across the district’s expansive 19 counties.
