Wisconsin congressional hopeful's late filing shows payments from Soros-linked groups
Democratic candidate Rebecca Cooke disclosed that she was paid over $5,000 by two progressive organizations tied to George Soros' Open Society network after the August 13 primary.
Rebecca Cooke, a Democratic congressional candidate in Wisconsin’s third district, submitted a personal financial disclosure covering the period from Jan. 1, 2025 to July 14, 2026 two days after the Aug. 13 primary. The filing shows she received payments exceeding $5,000 from Third Way and the Pipeline Fund, organizations linked financially to George Soros’ Open Society network. The Open Society Foundations awarded $1 million to Third Way’s nonprofit research arm in 2023-2024, and the Pipeline Fund obtained $1.4 million directly from the Open Society Action Fund in 2024.
Third Way confirmed Cooke was paid $30,000 for a project aimed at amplifying working-class voices, while the Pipeline Fund said she contracted with them in 2025 to help advance its mission. Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden condemned the delayed disclosure, saying it reveals Cooke’s character, while Cooke argued the payments reflect her efforts to assist working-class people run for office. The controversy centers on the candidate’s ties to left-leaning groups funded by Soros’ philanthropy network.
Why it matters
Voters learn about a candidate’s financial ties to influential progressive donors after a key primary.
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