Eric Hovde has emerged as the Republican nominee for Wisconsin’s Senate seat, setting the stage for a highly competitive election that could determine the balance of power in the Senate. With 6% of ballots counted, Hovde secured 90.4% of the vote, prompting the Associated Press to call the race in his favor at 9:20 p.m. Eastern.
Hovde will now face off against incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who is seeking to hold onto one of the 23 seats her party must defend to maintain its slim majority in the Senate. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “Lean Democratic,” but it has become a crucial seat for Democrats to retain in November.
Hovde’s victory can be attributed in part to his endorsement from former President Donald Trump, as well as his significant investment in the campaign. Over the past four months, Hovde has spent at least $13 million of his own money to secure the nomination.
Despite his primary win, Hovde may face an uphill battle in the general election. Early polls have shown Baldwin holding a healthy lead, with the latest survey from the New York Times and Siena College indicating that she leads Hovde by 7 points, 51% to 44%. The outcome of this election will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
