As the spotlight intensifies on the 2024 election season, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has inked his approval on new legislative maps, setting the stage for what could possibly become the most competitive election season in recent history.
Evers’ signing of the new maps comes after the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court dismantled the previous Republican-drawn maps, a move met with resistance from the GOP. Despite Republicans’ efforts to uphold the 2011 maps, they reluctantly consented last week following claims that their recent proposals were politically skewed, as asserted by court-appointed experts.
Analysts predict a more balanced legislative landscape in the upcoming election, a stark shift from the Republican near-supermajority dominance in the past decade.
In a move insiders expected, wealthy Republican entrepreneur Eric Hovde has officially entered the race for the U.S. Senate, challenging two-term incumbent Tammy Baldwin. Hovde, a real estate magnate and bank CEO, has entered the race to a list of challengers to Baldwin.
Hovde, no stranger to Senate aspirations after an unsuccessful 2012 bid, faces the challenge of unseating Baldwin, a seasoned campaigner and formidable fundraiser. Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball currently categorize the race as “Leans Democratic.”. Hovde’s entry creates uncertainty about who will accompany the recently re-elected Ron Johnson to Washington.
Baldwin, currently boasting a campaign war chest of $8 million, has a proven track record, having triumphed in previous Senate races against formidable opponents. While a Marquette Law School Poll reveals a divided Wisconsin electorate, with 42% of voters reporting a favorable view of Baldwin and 45% holding an unfavorable view, the seasoned politician remains a force to be reckoned with regardless.
State and National Democrats have wasted no time in crafting their narrative against Hovde, emphasizing his residence in Laguna Beach, California, and underscoring his positions on the Affordable Care Act and late-stage abortion.
Republicans on the other hand, are quick to link Senator Baldwin to President Joe Biden, whose approval rating sits at 40%, according to the latest Marquette Law School poll. Meanwhile, 60% of Wisconsinites disapprove of the sitting President.
Ultimately, Wisconsin remains the ultimate swing state heading into the 2024 election. Poised to host a high-stakes Senate race to accompany the RNC National Convention in Milwaukee while retaining a decisive role in the Electoral College. Political theater is set to unfold, with Hovde’s candidacy injecting a different dynamic into an already heated electoral landscape.
