Dems Are Split on Who’s Best to Take Down GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden

But they’re united that they can unseat Van Orden no matter who wins the Democratic primary on Tuesday.

Derrick Van Orden
Rep. Derrick Van Orden speaks with reporters as he arrives for the Republican conference on Capitol Hill. Alex Brandon/AP

As Democrats try to unseat controversial Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden this November, Tuesday’s primary in Wisconsin has divided them on who’s best to do it.

Democrats are largely split between the two most competitive candidates: small business owner Rebecca Cooke and state Rep. Katrina Shankland.

On Cooke’s side are a number of moderates and groups associated with vulnerable Democrats — like the Blue Dogs and New Democrats — as well as Reps. Brad Schneider, Jared Golden, Mike Thompson, Raul Ruiz, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Sharice Davids.