Madison business owner Eric Hovde saw an easy victory in Wisconsin’s GOP primary on Tuesday and will now face Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in November, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Hovde faced nominal opposition from UW–Stevens Point College Republicans chair Rejani Raveendran and former 1st Congressional District candidate Charles Barman, a farmer from Sharon.
Hovde has contributed $13 million of his own money to his campaign, which promises change from Baldwin’s leadership, a restoration of the American Dream in Wisconsin and the U.S., lowered costs, a secure southern border, health care system repairs, and more. Baldwin, in turn, has focused her campaign on support for American jobs and manufacturing, lower costs for families, and a restoration of reproductive freedoms.
The Associated Press on Tuesday called Hovde’s victory roughly 20 minutes after polls closed with 4% of votes counted. Election results are unofficial until formally canvassed.
Baldwin, seeking her third term this year, held a significant lead in fundraising, raising over $2.5 million in July, while Hovde raised more than $374,000 in the same period. However, the spending gap between the two campaigns was smaller, with Baldwin spending about $3.5 million in July and Hovde spending almost $2.7 million. As of July 24, Baldwin had over $6.3 million on hand, while Hovde held $3.1 million.
The two candidates will debate in Madison on Oct. 18.
