Eric Hovde challenges Tammy Baldwin over Trump comments ahead of election
- Eric Hovde's campaign is running ads in Wisconsin, criticizing Senator Tammy Baldwin for her past comments about Trump supporters.
- Baldwin's team defends her stance as inclusive while highlighting Hovde's negative remarks towards various groups.
- Recent polls show a competitive race in Wisconsin, indicating Baldwin's slight lead as early voting is underway.
In Wisconsin, Eric Hovde, a Republican businessman, is leveraging past comments made by Senator Tammy Baldwin about Donald Trump and his supporters as part of his campaign to unseat her in the upcoming 2024 election. Hovde's campaign released an ad linking Baldwin's 2016 remarks, which criticized Trump and questioned the support for him, to Hillary Clinton's infamous 'basket of deplorables' comment. This strategy aims to highlight Baldwin's negative sentiments towards Trump voters as potentially damaging for her re-election efforts. Baldwin's spokesperson defended her, stating that she advocates for all constituents regardless of their political affiliations, contrasting Hovde’s past derogatory remarks about other groups. Baldwin’s team also pointed out Hovde's previous use of the term 'deplorable' regarding civic knowledge among Americans, attempting to refute the campaign’s narrative. Recent polling indicates a close race, with Baldwin slightly leading Hovde, marking a shift in the initial polling gap and emphasizing the competitiveness of this Senate seat. The election's outcome may significantly depend on voters' sentiments in a state with a complex political landscape, as it coincides with the presidential election. As early voting has already begun, the stakes are high for both candidates in this crucial swing state. Political analysts are watching this race closely, with shifts in ratings indicating increased competition that could affect broader electoral dynamics.