Hovde Critiques Baldwin's Alignment with Biden at RNC Speech

MILWAUKEE—During a speech at the Republican National Convention, Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde criticized Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin for her close alignment with President Joe Biden's policies. Hovde, a businessman and banking magnate, accused Baldwin of being a "rubber stamp" for Biden, highlighting her record of voting with him 95.5 percent of the time. He argued that her support has contributed to the weakening of the United States, particularly through economic and foreign policies that have led to significant national debt and inflation. Hovde emphasized the financial strain on families, stating that the Biden administration, with Baldwin's backing, has accumulated more debt in three and a half years than the first 230 years of the country combined. He expressed disbelief at Baldwin's characterization of the Biden administration as "the most successful in generations," suggesting that such a view reflects a disconnect from the realities faced by everyday Wisconsinites. The race between Hovde and Baldwin is one of the most competitive Senate contests in the nation, with potential implications for party control in the upper chamber. Hovde's remarks come in the wake of Baldwin's recent decision to avoid appearing with Biden during his visit to Madison, Wisconsin, and her evasive responses regarding her support for him following a lackluster debate performance. Baldwin's campaign has maintained that she supports the president while asserting her focus on her own campaign, which she claims is centered on the needs of Wisconsin residents.