Fox News projects Democrat Tammy Baldwin survives tight race to hold Wisconsin Senate seat

The Fox News Decision Desk has projected that Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., has managed to survive a tough re-election battle in the swing state of Wisconsin. She defeated her Republican opponent, Eric Hovde, a businessman who was endorsed by former President Trump. Baldwin will now serve a third term in the Senate after first being elected in 2012.

The race in Wisconsin was closely watched as it was expected to be decisive in the presidential election. With the decline in split-ticket voting, the Senate candidate’s chances of winning were closely tied to the presidential candidate who took the state. The Fox News Power Rankings rated Wisconsin as a toss-up in the presidential election, with the Senate race initially rated as “Leans Democrat.” The Cook Political Report also shifted its rating to a “Toss up” due to a closing polling gap between the candidates.

During the campaign, Baldwin attacked Hovde for his business ventures, highlighting his background as a banker with ties to California. Hovde, on the other hand, criticized Baldwin for her long career in Washington, D.C., and her close alignment with the policies of President Biden and Vice President Harris. He also pointed out that Baldwin and her partner are not married, allowing her to avoid disclosing financial information and potential conflicts of interest.

Baldwin managed to secure the endorsement of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, a significant achievement in the rural state. The group praised Baldwin, along with Republican congressmen Reps. Derrick Van Orden and Tom Tiffany, for their support of Wisconsin agriculture and policies that benefit farmers.

A recent Quinnipiac University Poll showed Baldwin leading Hovde by a closer margin than expected, with 50% to 46% of likely voters supporting her. The survey, conducted from Oct. 3-7, interviewed 1,073 likely voters in Wisconsin.

Overall, Baldwin’s victory in Wisconsin reflects the shifting political landscape in the state and the competitive nature of the Senate race. With her re-election secured, Baldwin will continue to represent Wisconsin in the Senate for another term.