Wisconsin Senate Race: Democrats Fear Losing Safe Seat.
Democratic Party insiders are expressing increasing concern over the potential loss of a once-considered safe seat in the Wisconsin Senate race, as Republican nominee Eric Hovde demonstrates unexpected strength and Donald Trump’s strong polling figures in the state create a daunting scenario reminiscent of 2016 when Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
According to Axios, Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) lead in both public and internal polls has significantly diminished. Republicans are now investing heavily in the state in an effort to upset Baldwin’s campaign. Multiple Democratic sources informed Axios that “alarm bells” are ringing in Wisconsin, with many arguing that the race is much tighter than current public polling suggests.
Despite summer polling showing a slightly more comfortable lead for Baldwin, she now leads by only two points in internal Democratic polls, according to a source familiar with her campaign. This aligns with a recent Trafalgar poll, which has Baldwin leading by only two points and Trump up one point in the state.
Interestingly, Baldwin chose not to attend Vice President Kamala Harris’s rally Thursday night in Wisconsin. This absence suggests that Baldwin views her party’s standard bearer as a potential hindrance to her own race. The rally was held in Ripon, Wisconsin, and featured Liz Cheney, the former Republican Congresswoman who lost her primary after publicly opposing Trump.
Additionally, Republicans appear poised to outspend Democrats in the state every week until Election Day, with an influx of around $20 million. Republicans currently hold a nearly $3.5 million spending advantage on the airwaves over the next month, according to Axios.
Hovde himself is contributing more than $2 million to his campaign, while the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a super PAC closely tied with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), is adding an additional $17 million. SLF’s investment is part of a recently announced $67.5 ad buy from the group, which includes $28 million in Pennsylvania and $22.5 million in Michigan. This significant spending indicates that Republicans are optimistic about their chances of retaking the Senate majority.
Breitbart News reported: With favorable maps, strong candidates, and Trump at the top of the ticket, Republicans are almost guaranteed to gain seats in the Senate and eliminate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) 51-49 majority. However, they are looking for more than a simple majority. Democrats are playing defense across the country, while the only Republicans with competitive races are Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL), both of whom are favored.
Sen. Joe Manchin’s (I-WV) retirement will hand West Virginia to Republicans. Republican Tim Sheehy is leading Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) in conservative Montana, and Republican Bernie Moreno is giving Republicans hope in increasingly red Ohio to finally unseat Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH.
Other states, including Nevada and Maryland, are also in play for Republicans as Democrats struggle to maintain their defensive positions.
Bradley Jaye is a Capitol Hill Correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on X/Twitter at @BradleyAJaye.