Senate Republicans are expecting the final piece to their 2024 puzzle to fall into place in short order, as they ready themselves for a November fight against Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) in the key battleground state of Wisconsin.
Eric Hovde, a Madison-based businessman, is expected to enter the race next month with the full support of the Senate GOP campaign apparatus, as it tries for a third time to defeat Baldwin, who has proven a difficult out for Republicans. Multiple sources indicated he will launch his bid in February, with one source familiar saying that it is expected between the Super Bowl and the end of the month, as he has been hiring staff and gearing up for a run.
Hovde would far and wide be the leading contender to take on Baldwin due in part to his financial prowess. The source indicated he is prepared to spend eight figures on his campaign, with a second source familiar with Hovde indicating upward of $20 million or more could be possible.
This would be Hovde’s second Senate bid after he narrowly lost the 2012 GOP nod to former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson (R), who eventually fell to Baldwin.