Eric Hovde at Roehl Transportation in Marshfield. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — Call it a coronation.
Tuesday’s US Senate GOP primary was called for businessman Eric Hovde less than 30 minutes after the polls closed on Tuesday, with Hovde charging out to over 95% of the early vote and quickly leaving long-shot contenders Charles Barman and Stevens Point’s Rejani Raveendran well behind the pace.
Wisconsin GOP Chairman Brian Schimming celebrated Hovde’s win, saying “The road to a secure border and prosperous economy begins here in Wisconsin. After twenty-five years in Washington, Tammy Baldwin has nothing to offer voters except more inflation and instability. Thanks to Wisconsin Republicans, working families will finally have a true champion on the ballot in Eric Hovde this November.”
Other long-shot contenders also declared candidacy, including former Merrill Mayor Derek Woellner and Mosinee’s Kyle Corrigan but they failed to gain ballot access for Tuesday’s primary.
Hovde officially advances to November’s General Election ballot against incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin, who is running for her third term in Washington. Her team released a statement shortly after the results came in, saying “Tonight, I’m honored to receive the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate to continue our fight to lower costs for Wisconsin families, stand up for American jobs and manufacturing, and restore our reproductive freedoms.
While I am running to put Wisconsin families first, my opponent Eric Hovde is a multi-millionaire California bank owner who has insulted our seniors, our farmers, our moms, and just about everyone else in our great state. While he runs to put the wealthy and well-connected like himself first, I will always stand up for the working people of Wisconsin.”
The two have agreed to one debate in October, which will be carried statewide by both radio and television stations including WSAU. Many national polls including Wisconsin’s own Marquette Law poll have painted the race as a toss-up. It’s also being watched nationally as a race that could decide the balance of power in the Senate, which is currently split with a Democratic Vice President breaking ties.
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