Rebecca Cooke, a Democratic House candidate in Wisconsin aiming to unseat Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, has reversed her position on a federal ban on conversion therapy following criticism from progressive voters. During several primary forums ahead of the August 11 Democratic primary, Cooke declined to endorse a nationwide prohibition and instead emphasized local control. After backlash from the party’s left flank, she stated that the federal government should bar the practice, which commonly involves talk therapy targeting sexual orientation or gender identity. The shift comes amid renewed focus on conversion therapy after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting Colorado’s state ban on free speech grounds.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.