Eric Hovde wins Wisconsin Senate GOP primary
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Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde appears on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Millionaire businessman Eric Hovde handily won Wisconsin's GOP Senate primary Tuesday, officially setting up his bid to oust two-term Democrat Tammy Baldwin.
Why it matters: It's one of at least nine competitive Senate seats Republicans aim to flip to take back the majority in November.
- The AP called the race early at 8:20pm CT.
By the numbers: The race has drawn more than $110 million in ad spending and reservations, putting it in the top 5 priciest congressional races this year.
- Democrats are spending double what Republicans are so far, according to AdImpact data.
- Hovde has invested millions of dollars of his own money into the campaign, a tactic that's been critical given Democrats' financial advantage.
Zoom in: Hovde's chances of winning the seat likely depend on whether Trump is able to swing the battleground state and by how much, Republican strategists tell Axios. Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in 2016, then lost it in 2020.
- Cook Political Report rates the Wisconsin Senate race as leaning Democratic, noting that Hovde has been an underwhelming candidate.
- That's a sentiment GOP sources have shared with Axios as well, with one warning there's only enough resources for A+ candidates.
Between the lines: Hovde has struggled to make the race a referendum on Baldwin and has come under fire for past comments — including suggesting fraudulent voting is occurring in nursing homes.
- Hovde spokesperson Ben Voelke stressed that Wisconsin is a top battleground and predicted close races at both the presidential and the Senate level.
What they're saying: "Baldwin has been in Washington for twenty-five years and things have only gotten worse. It's time for change," Hovde said in a statement, pledging to work "tirelessly to lower costs, secure the southern border, and fix our broken healthcare system."
- National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) blasted Baldwin for endorsing "San Francisco radical Kamala Harris."
The other side: Baldwin issued a statement ripping Hovde as "a multi millionaire California bank owner who has insulted our seniors, our farmers, our moms, and just about everyone else in our great state."
- Baldwin added that she's "running to put Wisconsin families first."
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a comment from Sen. Baldwin.
