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Who is Eric Hovde?
Eric Hovde gained his wealth in real estate and banking. He serves as the co-owner and CEO of a Wisconsin-based real estate development company.
Eric Hovde is a Madison native, attended East High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.A true entrepreneur, he founded and managed his first business in his twenties and has since launched and grown several others.
Eric and his wife Sharon have been dedicated advocates in the fight to cure Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that Eric was diagnosed with at the age of 27. In his thirties, Eric co-founded The Hovde Foundation with his brother, Steve. They have established ten “Hovde Homes” to provide shelter, care, and support to vulnerable children and families both in Wisconsin and around the world.
Hovde is backed by national Republicans and endorsed by former President Donald Trump. He secured a decisive victory in the GOP primary, defeating two opponents. He now advances to challenge Democratic senator Tammy Baldwin in the upcoming election.
Hovde previously ran for the Senate seat in 2012, where he narrowly lost the Republican primary to former governor Tommy Thompson. Thompson went on to lose the general election to Tammy Baldwin, who has held the seat since.
Why is Wisconsin seat important?
The Wisconsin senate seat is crucial for Republicans, who are aiming to flip at least nine seats to regain the Senate majority in November. The Republicans so far have spent over $110 million on advertisements, which makes the race for the seat of Wisconsin one of the most expensive in the country, according to Axios.
Hovde has reportedly invested millions of his own money into his campaign to help level the playing field.
He is being endorsed by former President Donald Trump, his success may depend on how much influence Trump can exert in Wisconsin, a state he narrowly won in 2016 but lost in 2020.
Hovde has been criticised for not effectively challenging Baldwin’s record and for making controversial remarks, such as alleging voter fraud in nursing homes. Despite this, his campaign remains hopeful, with a spokesperson predicting tight races in both the Senate and presidential elections.
He has taken aim at Baldwin’s long tenure in Washington, promising to focus on reducing costs, securing the border, and addressing healthcare issues.
In response, Baldwin portrayed Hovde as a wealthy outsider out of touch with Wisconsin voters, emphasising her dedication to prioritising local families.
Tammy Baldwin is a liberal Democrat, she was first elected to the Senate in 2012 after serving seven terms in the House of Representatives. She made history as the first woman elected to Congress from Wisconsin and was the first openly LGBTQ+ member of both the House and the Senate.
