Entering the 2024 political season, there was much optimism in the GOP about regaining control of the Senate. There are several open seats like in Arizona and West Virginia, that are ripe for the picking. There are others like in Ohio and Montana that have Democrat incumbents that are vulnerable.
Now the Cook Political Report has changed the Wisconsin race from leans Democrat to a tossup. Incumbent Tammy Baldwin is being challenged by entrepreneur Eric Hovde, who has been making the rounds on the Fox News Channel.
"I'm your classic entrepreneur. I started my first company in my 20s, went on to build multiple different companies. I'm married, I have two daughters, three grandchildren. I'm a diehard patriot. I love my country, that's why I've gotten into this. I also have a foundation that rescues children around the world through Hovde Homes, abandoned children, children sold into the sex trade."
The Real Clear Polling average has Baldwin ahead 3.0 percentage points.
Hovde and Baldwin are scheduled to debate Friday.
Facts lining up
The Racine County Eye has provided a fact check of claims by each campaign against the opponent.
It agreed with five of six claims made by Hovde’s campaign against Baldwin on the topics of abortion funding, her liberal tendencies, legislative record, support for President Joe Biden and her position on legalizing immigrants.
The news outlet said Hovde’s claim that Baldwin “gave all of our money to a transgender clinic that does this without notifying parents,” is wrong.
However, it went on to state Baldwin directed $400,000 in 2024 federal spending to Briarpatch Youth Services of Madison, Wisconsin, a nonprofit that provides shelter, counseling and other services to homeless youth.
Hovde says this election is critical.
"Wisconsin is the battleground state. If President Trump wins here, they cannot win the White House, and if I win (Republicans) will not only take back control of the US Senate for the next two years but probably for the next four years. So, this election is so critical because the left wants to censor us. They want to change this country, totally remake it. They've done so much damage. That's why I just couldn't sit on the sidelines. I had to get in and try to save the country I love."
