Berge files to run for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd District

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Civic Media) – Eau Claire City Council president Emily Berge has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for Congress in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.

Berge, a Democrat, becomes the second candidate to file to run in the race.

“I’m running because our communities deserve better,” Berge said in a release announcing her candidacy. “The gap between what our communities need and what we’re getting from our current representation has never been wider.”

Rebecca Cooke, also from Eau Claire, announced her campaign in March.

Berge previously said that she was considering a run for Congress. She’s been on the Eau Claire City Council since 2018 and has been its president since 2023. Berge is a licensed mental health counselor.

Berge is promising a campaign that brings all people together.

“No matter where you are from — you belong here. This movement is about all of us,” Berge said. “This campaign is about bringing people together to solve real problems.”

Berge’s FEC paperwork was filed on April 11th.

Last year, three candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Congress: Cooke, who lost to Republican Derrick Van Orden in the fall election, former state Assembly representative Katrina Shankland, and Eric Wilson. Cooke won the primary.

Cooke’s narrow loss last year sets the table for a 2026 race that is among the most competitive nationally. Election experts believe Democrats on the ballot stand a chance to fare better without Donald Trump on the ballot.

Van Orden won elections in 2022 over state Senator Brad Pfaff and 2024 over Cooke. The second-term Congressman is among President Trump’s most ardent supporters. Van Orden has not formally announced any plans for re-election.