First Openly LGBTQ+ Senator Narrowly Defends Wisconsin Seat as Democrats Fall Short in Other Battlegrounds

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left) Sen. Tammy Baldwin speaks on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024; (Right) Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 16, 2024.Photo:Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Wisconsin Senate Race: Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Eric Hovde

Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin has defeated Republican challenger Eric Hovde in the crucial Wisconsin Senate race, preserving a vulnerable blue seat, The Associated Press projects.

Baldwin was declared the winner of her race hours after Wisconsin swayed Republican in the presidential race, voting to electDonald TrumpoverKamala Harris.

The non-partisanCook Political Reportpreviously ranked the Wisconsin race as among the Senate’s most competitive, and classified the contest as a “toss-up.” Baldwin, 62, was running for a third term in the Senate, while Hovde, a 60-year-old businessman, previously gained some political experience after competing for the GOP’s Senate nomination in 2012.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Eric Hovde shake hands before a televised debate on Oct. 18, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.Morry Gash/AP

Wisconsin Senate candidates Republican Eric Hovde and Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin shake hands before a televised debate Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Madison, Wis.

Morry Gash/AP

In 1999, Baldwin became the first openly lesbian woman elected to Congress when she joined the House of Representatives. She made history again as the first openly LGBTQ+ senator when she embraced her latest role in 2013.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on Aug. 22, 2024.Kevin Dietsch/Getty

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 22: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) departs after speaking on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic Party supporters are gathering in Chicago, as current Vice President Kamala Harris is named her party’s presidential nominee. The DNC takes place from August 19-22.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Baldwin entered politics from a background in law, and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She was rumored to be on PresidentJoe Biden’s initialrunning mate shortlistfor the 2020 presidential election, and made Wisconsin manufacturing, veteran’s issues, lowering prescription drug prices and the freedom to choosekey issuesof her latest campaign.

Eric Hovde at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 16, 2024.Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty

Eric Hovde, US Republican Senate candidate for Wisconsin, speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Former President Donald Trump tapped JD Vance as his running mate, elevating to the Republican presidential ticket a venture capitalist-turned-senator whose embrace of populist politics garnered national attention and made him a rising star in the party

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty

Hovde, a fourth generation Wisconsinite with a business background, was criticized during the Senate run for “mostly living” in California since 2018, according toThe Wisconsin Independent.The Milwaukee Journal Sentinelreported in October 2023 that he failed to vote in 17 of the last 30 elections in Wisconsin.

However, in light of the the Badger State’s deep political divides, Hovde’s conservative values and endorsement from Trump put him on strong footing.

The Associated Pressreported that Hovde spent $13 million of his own money on the campaign, and his website listed the cost of living, immigration, foreign policy and healthcare as his key priorities.

source: people.com

Other Posts

Powered by Hugo