Wisconsin — 3rd District

MADISON - Elon Musk is once again weighing into Wisconsin politics, this time spending on the side of Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District.

According to Federal Election Campaign documents, Musk's America PAC spent more than $5,000 on printing in support of Van Orden, and $4,725 on printing in opposition on Democrat Rebecca Cooke since the start of September.

The spending is only a portion of the donations made in districts across the country. According to a report for POLITICO, America PAC spent about $800,000 targeting races in states such as Texas, Maine, Ohio and Michigan, which also have hotly contested seats as Democrats seek to gain control of Congress. Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District is regarded as a key battleground seat.

Musk also donated $6,600 directly to Van Orden's campaign in March of 2025.

In a statement, Van Orden celebrated the spending.

"Elon Musk is a great American businessman who has done incredible things for our country. He is a private citizen and if he wants to support candidates through America PAC who are fighting to make our nation stronger, secure our border, grow our economy, and protect our freedoms, I welcome that support," he said.

"At the end of the day, Wisconsinites will decide this election, and I'm focused on continuing to deliver for Wisconsin's Third Congressional District.

Van Orden and Cooke are facing each other for the second time. He narrowly defeated Cooke in 2024. Cooke also ran for the seat in 2022, but did not make it past the primary.

Democrats criticized the spending.

"Derrick Van Orden is getting desperate and courting money from the world's richest man and data center tycoon Elon Musk," said Cooke in a statement. "In Congress, I'll be listening to the people of West Central Wisconsin, not billionaires."

Musk memorably got involved in in Wisconsinn politics in 2025.

America PAC spent millions n support of former Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel when he ran for the state Supreme Court, in what was the most expensive court race in U.S. history. Schimel fell short in the race to liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford.

A portion of that spending went toward offering million dollar checks to voters in that election. The Wisconsin Elections Commission in July referred two charges of election bribery against Musk. La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke declined to pursue those charges.

Haley King, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Democrats, also criticized the spending.

"Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is trying to buy another Wisconsin election," she said. "Musk found himself a little MAGA puppet in Derrick Van Orden, who has continuously sold himself off to the highest bidder while leaving working Wisconsinites behind to burden the cost of his policies.

"Wisconsin voters already rejected Musk's attempts to buy himself a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, and they will reject his attempts to buy our Congressional seats in November."