Tammy Baldwin wins third term amid Trump’s Wisconsin victory

Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first Democrat to receive an endorsement from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau in over 20 years, defeated California banker Eric Hovde, who spent at least $20 million of his own funds for the bid. 

Baldwin, a two-term incumbent, said in a statement, “The people of Wisconsin have chosen someone who always puts Wisconsin first, someone who shows up, listens, and works with everyone to get the job done.”

Showing up for Wisconsinites and getting the job done was Baldwin’s clear message throughout the campaign. Speaking to UpNorthNews on election day, Baldwin said she’ll continue to fight for things like women’s reproductive freedom, affordable health care, veterans benefits, and medicare and social security. 

“I was raised by my grandparents, I know the value of these programs to working families and I’m going to fight to make sure they’re around.”

Baldwin had a lead of 0.9% based on the unofficial results – a margin that would allow for Hovde to request a recount – if he pays for it.

Baldwin ran ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost Wisconsin to Republican Donald Trump by less than a percentage point, marking the fifth time in the past seven presidential elections that a presidential election in Wisconsin has been decided by less than a point.

Tuesday also marks first time since 1968 that Wisconsin has split its vote between parties for presidential and Senate candidates, selecting that year Richard Nixon and Gaylord Nelson. 

Despite Baldwin’s win, Republicans seize control of the U.S. Senate by flipping Democratic-held seats in Ohio and West Virginia.