Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin wins, defending seat from Republican Eric Hovde

PEWAUKEE, Wis. — Wisconsin three-term Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin has successfully defended her spot from Republican challenger businessman Eric Hovde.

Baldwin narrowly won, pinch 49.4% of nan ballot to Hovde’s 48.5%, pinch 99% of votes counted, nan Associated Press reports.

“I’m proud to caput backmost to nan Senate to support fighting for our workers, farmers, and families that make our authorities great,” she told supporters successful her triumph speech.

Wisconsin lived up to its plaything authorities position successful nan 2024 cycle, flipping reddish for Trump successful nan statesmanlike title and staying bluish for Baldwin successful nan Senate.

The senator’s strategy of courting what she calls nan “Trump-Tammy” elector successful nan weeks starring up to nan predetermination appears to person paid off, contempt her wide voting record.

Baldwin, nan first openly cheery US senator, will return to nan Senate successful January arsenic a personnel of nan number statement aft Republicans picked up 3 seats, establishing a 52-seat mostly arsenic of Wednesday afternoon.

Hovde released a statement Wednesday saying he would proceed to show results and was “disappointed” nan spoiler campaigner — Libertarian Phillip Anderson — had siphoned votes distant from him.

Throughout this hotly contested Senate battle, Baldwin many times framed nan Madison businessman arsenic an out-of-state, able elitist owed to his California spot successful Orange County, utilizing a bid of antagonistic past statements.

Meanwhile, Hovde hammered Baldwin connected nan run way arsenic an out-of-touch career politician who’s excessively wide for plaything authorities Wisconsin, aligning himself pinch Donald Trump arsenic he courted nan state’s Republican base.

The Madison businessman’s important self-funding — on pinch a last-minute surge successful Republican spending — helped boost him successful polling nan past fewer weeks of nan predetermination but was incapable to adjacent nan spread pinch nan wide Senator.

Baldwin besides played it safe passim her campaign, avoiding appearances pinch Biden early connected successful nan predetermination season, contempt voting pinch nan president 96% of nan time. Once he dropped out, she quickly pivoted to clasp Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy.

Known arsenic 1 of nan astir wide members of nan US Senate, Baldwin is simply a co-author of nan Women’s Health Protection Act — a legislative connection to federally protect abortion access. She’s besides said she would ballot to destruct nan filibuster successful bid to codify Roe v. Wade, though she’d alternatively “reform” it.

Cook Political Report changed nan title from Lean Democrat to Toss Up successful nan weeks earlier nan predetermination arsenic Hovde showed a precocious surge successful nan polls.

Two further Senate contenders — Libertarian campaigner Phillip Anderson and America First campaigner Thomas Leager — garnered much than 2% of nan ballot combined.

The RealClearPolling mean for nan Wisconsin Senate title starring up to nan predetermination had nan 2 major-party candidates successful a dead-even tie, 48% to 48%.