Wisconsin is considered one of many opportunities for improvement for Republicans on the 2024 Senate map as vulnerable incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin seeks re-election. The race will soon attract more attention as businessman Eric Hovde, who ran against Baldwin in the 2012 Republican primary, is scheduled to announce his campaign on Tuesday.
Press Association Reported this news was reported last week, citing Hovde campaign spokesman Ben Voelkel. A pinned post announcing his announcement has since appeared on Hovde’s X account.
Wisconsin is worth fighting for! Stay tuned for essential news tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/NhR6SpcPaK
— Eric Hovde (@EricHovde) February 19, 2024
As mentioned further in the report:
Hovde has been preparing the ground for a bid for months, gaining the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and recently making staff hires. He also appeared at Republican events across the state.
…
Hovde has remained largely out of the public eye since then, although he did air a television ad in 2020 criticizing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’s stay-at-home order during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hovde’s business empire includes Hovde Properties, a real estate development company founded by his grandfather in 1933, and three banking companies. He is the CEO of Sunwest Bank, has appeared in their Western TV commercials, and, in addition to his Madison property, owns a $7 million mansion in Laguna Beach, California.
He returned to Madison in 2011 after 24 years living in Washington.
…
Scott Mayer, Franklin businessman and former Milwaukee County sheriff David Clarke they are also considering running for the Senate. Other senior Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Tom Tiffany and Mike Gallagher, chose not to run.
Wisconsin was also in the news on the eve of Hovde’s expected announcement regarding the tragic news of an undocumented immigrant who was convicted of drunk driving last year but not deported and accused of murdering a father of three.
According to BreitbartJorge Sanchez-Tzanhua, a 22-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and manslaughter for allegedly causing the crash that killed 35-year-old Steven Nasholm last month.
Some users linked Hovde’s announcement to this story.
A perfect number for Hovde, with whom he will start his campaign tomorrow. Where is Baldwin’s answer? Does she even know? Does she even care? https://t.co/byaL6nYHEN
— Wisconsin Conservative Sponge (@wiz_political) February 20, 2024
I voted to deport illegal aliens who are deported due to DWI.
This is why.
The three children would still have their father if this guy had been kicked out of the country.
How do you think Democrats running against me would vote?
I already know and so do you. https://t.co/jizQjWl9aV
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) February 20, 2024
Although it is not considered one of the toss-up races like Ohio, Montana and Arizona, Wisconsin is still in play because according to forecasters “Lean Democratic”, meaning Baldwin’s advantage is slim.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which had engaged in some GOP primaries while not engaging in others, republished Hovde’s statement shortly thereafter.
— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) February 19, 2024
