Highlighting her background as a small business owner and nonprofit leader, the new national organization plans to actively support Rebecca Cooke’s congressional bid.

Washington, DC (December 12, 2023) — Today, Tomorrow’s Jobs, a new national organization supporting Democrats with small business and entrepreneurial backgrounds, endorsed Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.

Brett Broesder, the PAC’s founding executive director, stated that Cooke’s background as a small business owner and nonprofit leader makes her an excellent example of someone who can excel as a candidate and policymaker.

“Small business owners like Rebecca Cooke are the lifeblood of our nation’s economy,” said Broesder. “They're a driving force behind job creation, innovation, and healthy and equitable communities. Tomorrow’s Jobs proudly supports Rebecca Cooke and plans to actively ensure she has the support and resources necessary to win.”

Rebecca Cooke said she’s thrilled about the organization’s mission and stressed the importance of electing more small business owners and entrepreneurs nationwide.

“Entrepreneurs and small business owners work in all departments — accounting, human resources, marketing, inventory, and more,” said Cooke. “Launching a business, and keeping it going is full of grit and glory. We need more lawmakers who know what it's like to be both the employer and the employee, and who can balance a budget and make tough decisions that impact people's lives.“

Cooke added: “When more small business owners are elected, Main Street America gets a fighting chance. We can pass laws that enforce antitrust laws on larger corporate players, advocate for healthcare that works for entrepreneurs and their employees, and revitalize our rural main streets.”

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), who owns an auto repair and parts shop, noted that now more than ever, we need organizations like Tomorrow’s Jobs that support small business Democrats like Rebecca Cooke who can authentically connect with voters in their communities.

"We need more Democrats in Congress who have run small businesses in their communities and can authentically connect with voters, regardless of their family name, wealth, or zip code," said Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). "Doing so will require organizations to do more than pay lip service about backing Democrats who understand the issues that working-class voters are struggling with daily. That's why the Tomorrow's Jobs PAC's mission of supporting small business Democrats who get it—like Rebecca Cooke who is running in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District—is so important."

Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, including La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Stevens Point, is in the southwestern part of the state. The competitive seat is currently Republican-held by freshman Derrick Van Orden, who received bipartisan condemnation for screaming obscenities at high school-aged Senate pages, according to an NBC News report.

Cook’s Political Report has classified the race as Lean Republican. However, the publication’s senior editor, David Wasserman, points out that in the midterms, Van Orden, only won by four points, and negative headlines only fan the flame for the seat remaining ripe for the Democrats to take. 

Broesder asserts that Cooke, who outraised her primary election opponents by at least three-to-one last quarter, is well-positioned to win a competitive primary and general election.

“Flipping this Badger State seat will be a boon for Democrats' effort to take back the House majority,” said Broesder. “And replacing MAGA extremist Derrick Van Orden with small business owner Rebecca Cooke in Congress will help to protect democracy. That’s a win-win.”

For the 2024 elections, Tomorrow’s Jobs PAC plans to make endorsements nationwide. So far, in addition to Rebecca Cooke (WI-03), the group has endorsed Jeremy Gray (AL-02) and Derek Tran (CA-45).

The overall Tomorrow’s Jobs effort includes recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates who have experience creating jobs in communities, including small business owners, entrepreneurs, non-profit executives, and more.

About Tomorrow’s Jobs

Tomorrow’s Jobs is a hybrid political action committee (PAC) that supports entrepreneurial Democrats running for office nationwide. The group does this by recruiting, training, and supporting Democrats nationwide with backgrounds creating jobs in communities, including small business owners, entrepreneurs, non-profit executives, and more. Learn more at tomorrowsjobs.org.

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