Wisconsin Congressman Faces Ethics Complaint Over AI Image

An Eau Claire resident filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission accusing Rep. Derrick Van Orden of posting an AI-generated image of congressional opponent Rebecca Cooke without the disclosure required by state campaign ethics rules. Cooke’s campaign says the image is part of repeated AI-generated or misleading content and follows a September cease-and-desist letter; it argues Van Orden should focus on local issues. Van Orden’s campaign called the complaint a publicity stunt intended to distract from the candidates’ recent debate. Wisconsin’s 2024 law requires disclosures for certain AI-generated content in political advertisements, but it is unclear whether the requirement covers unpaid social media posts, leaving the complaint’s legal basis uncertain.