In a hard-fought victory, Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin has secured her third term in the Wisconsin Senate, triumphing over Republican challenger Eric Hovde in a race that turned increasingly acrimonious in its final weeks. Baldwin’s win comes after a campaign marked by controversial anti-LGBTQ+ messaging from Hovde and his allies, underscoring the resilience of her progressive platform and her deep roots in the state.
A Contentious Campaign Takes a Controversial Turn
As the race entered its final stretch, the Hovde campaign and GOP-aligned groups like the Senate Leadership Fund unleashed a barrage of ads targeting Baldwin’s sexuality and her support for LGBTQ+ rights. One particularly egregious ad falsely claimed that Baldwin had directed taxpayer funds to a transgender health clinic, while another suggested she supported “sex change surgeries for minors.”
Hovde himself echoed these claims on conservative talk shows, denouncing Baldwin’s backing of the Equality Act and vowing to “protect our traditional families.” The Baldwin campaign and LGBTQ+ advocates also pointed to Hovde ads focusing on Baldwin’s girlfriend as thinly-veiled dog whistles designed to remind conservative voters of her sexuality.
Baldwin Brushes Off Attacks, Focuses on Record
Despite the onslaught of personal attacks, Baldwin remained focused on her legislative accomplishments and her deep ties to Wisconsin. She highlighted her role in drafting key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including the measure allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26. Baldwin also touted her work on bipartisan economic legislation, such as a bill co-authored with Republican JD Vance to encourage domestic manufacturing of American-invented products.
It is clear that the voters have spoken and our campaign has won. The people of Wisconsin have chosen someone who always puts Wisconsin first, someone who shows up, listens and works with everyone to get the job done.
Tammy Baldwin, in a victory statement
Holding Strong in Rural Wisconsin
Baldwin’s victory also serves as a testament to her enduring support in rural parts of the state, where she has maintained a base even as many rural areas have trended Republican in recent years. Her campaign worked diligently to cast Hovde as an outsider more connected to his business interests in California than to the people of Wisconsin.
Hovde, for his part, rejected the “outsider” label, arguing that his private sector experience would be an asset in Washington. He also accused Baldwin of losing touch with her Wisconsin roots. But in the end, voters chose to stick with the incumbent and her proven track record of delivering for the state.
A Crucial Hold for Democrats
Beyond its implications for LGBTQ+ rights and representation, Baldwin’s win represents a crucial hold for Democrats as they seek to maintain control of the Senate. With several key races still too close to call, every victory counts in what is shaping up to be an intense battle for the upper chamber.
As Baldwin prepares to return to Washington for her third term, she does so with a renewed mandate from the people of Wisconsin and a powerful example of how progressive values and pragmatic legislating can overcome even the most vitriolic of opposition campaigns. Her journey from the nation’s first openly gay senator to a three-term incumbent stands as a beacon of hope and progress in an era of increasingly divisive politics.
