WASHINGTON – Madison businessman Eric Hovde will launch his Senate campaign next week, officially kicking off his expected bid to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin.
A spokesperson for Hovde on Thursday confirmed his plans.
Hovde, 59, will enter the race with the support of the national party. The National Republican Senatorial Committee late last year told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Hovde would enter the race and said he had the full support of Senate Republicans’ main campaign arm. The group this week reiterated that Hovde has its “full support.”
The announcement sets up the prospect for a high-profile race in a battleground state that could prove key in determining which party controls the Senate next year. Senate Democrats this cycle are defending 23 seats, including three held by independents who caucus with Democrats. Just 11 Republicans are up for re-election.
Hovde previously ran for Senate in 2012 but finished a close second to former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson in the primary. He weighed a race against Baldwin in 2018 but backed off , and he also briefly considered a run for governor in 2022.