Derrick Van Orden

Rep. Derrick Van Orden stated he is not paying attention to his reelection campaign, focusing instead on policy.

Van Orden is running in Wisconsin's most competitive district against Democrats Rebecca Cooke and Emily Berge.

Democrats seized on his remarks, with opponents suggesting he is out of touch with his district.

A spokesperson for Van Orden said his comments were taken out of context and that he is focused on the race.

MADISON - Third District Congressman Derrick Van Orden told reporters in Washington D.C., this week he isn't paying attention to his campaign and doesn't know if he'll be reelected, but is instead focusing on policies working their way through Congress.

In a clip posted on X on April 22 by Spectrum News reporter Charlotte Scott, Van Orden was asked about redistricting efforts taking place across the country, and said he's not paying attention to them.

"I don't even know if I'm going to get reelected. I don't really follow that either, sorry to disappoint you guys," he said. "I'm just a horrible politician I guess ... I don't track any of this stuff. It's all politics. I focus on policy."

Van Orden is running for election in Wisconsin's most competitive district, in the state's western counties. He is facing a challenge from Democrats Rebecca Cooke and Emily Berge, who will face off in a primary on Aug. 11. The winner of that race will face Van Orden in the Nov. 3 general election.

Cooke came within 2.8 points of Van Orden in 2024, and Democrats are targeting the district as they seek to flip control of the House of Representatives.

Cooke and Van Orden have been drawing millions in donations. So far, Van Orden has raised about $2.6 million, Cooke has brought in $6.5 million and Berge has raised about $566,000.

Van Orden opened a campaign headquarters in La Crosse earlier this month and has been actively posting on social media about Cooke over the last several months.

Before his comments about his own race, Van Orden was asked about the redistricting vote in Virginia, in which voters approved a full redrawing of the state's congressional districts. The results could change the state's 6-5 Democratic majority to a 10-1 Democratic advantage in House seats.

Because the margin of victory was less than one-half of 1%, a recount could be called, according to USA TODAY, and Republicans could still raise legal challenges to keep the current maps.

In the video posted to X, Van Orden said the ballot initiative Virginians voted for was "completely disingenuous."

"This is not saving democracy," he said. "If you look at the actual vote totals by county, which I did this morning, it proves that the five-to-six ratio was accurate. This is a sham."

Van Orden was then asked about redistricting in Texas, where, under pressure from President Donald Trump, Republicans attempted to redraw congressional maps in their favor.

"I don't really think about these things ... I don't. I pay attention to Wisconsin, I love Wisconsin," Van Orden told reporters in the video. "These are things that I can't control."

He then said he wasn't even sure about his own reelection chances.

Democrats criticism Van Orden comments

Democrats seized on the remarks.

Cooke responded with a short statement following Van Orden's comments.

"Two words for you: that's correct," she said in a text message.

Berge said in a statement that Van Orden doesn't follow what's happening in his district, even outside of elections.

"It has been evident, since he took office, that Derrick Van Orden hasn't been following what's happening across western and central Wisconsin," she said. "He'll have plenty of time to pay more attention when we defeat him on November 3rd."

A spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee emphasized Van Orden's words in a statement.

“Derrick Van Orden is exactly right: he’s a horrible politician who puts West Central Wisconsin last and he will lose to Rebecca Cooke in November," spokesperson Katie Smith said in an emailed message.

Van Orden spokesperson says remarks taken out of context

In a statement, Van Orden's spokesperson, Grace Kim, said that the comments were being taken out of context.

"Derrick Van Orden is working around the clock doing the job his constituents sent him to Washington to do, while staying fully focused on this race," she said in a text message.

A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Cooke but did not comment on Van Orden's interview.

"Congressman Derrick Van Orden is focused on delivering commonsense wins for Wisconsin while Commie Rebecca Cooke rakes in cash from her work as a political operative," NRCC Spokesperson Zach Bannon said. "Van Orden will once again defeat Cooke and her radical agenda to defund the police, ban guns and increase taxes."