The filing, made just days after the race was called, puts Van Orden on the ballot for a rematch in a district that has become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the country. The 3rd District stretches across western and central Wisconsin, encompassing La Crosse, Eau Claire, Stevens Point and the surrounding rural communities.

Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, won the seat in 2022 by flipping a district that had been held by Democrats for more than two decades. He quickly became a polarizing figure in Congress, known for his combative style and frequent clashes with colleagues and the press. His defeat this week marked a significant shift in a district that both parties had targeted as a bellwether.

Cooke, a small business owner and political newcomer, ran a campaign focused on kitchen-table issues including the cost of health care, housing and child care. Her victory was part of a broader Democratic push in Wisconsin, where voters also weighed in on a closely contested governor's race.

The early filing by Van Orden is unusual but not unprecedented. It allows him to begin fundraising and organizing well ahead of the 2028 cycle, signaling that he intends to remain a visible force in the district. The move also effectively clears the field for a potential rematch, though other Republicans could still enter the race.

For voters in the 3rd District, the filing means the campaign for 2028 has already begun, even as the dust settles on this week's results. The district's swing status ensures that both national parties will pour resources into the race, and Van Orden's early start suggests he is betting on a long game to reclaim the seat.

Van Orden's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filing. Cooke's team also did not respond to a request for comment.

The 2028 election is more than two years away, but the early maneuvering underscores the stakes in a district that has come to symbolize the broader political divide in Wisconsin and the Midwest.