Eric Hovde pushes Tammy Baldwin to agree to more debates in Wisconsin U.S. Senate race

MADISON — Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican businessman Eric Hovde don't agree on much of anything — including how many debates they'll participate in ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation announced Monday that the candidates will square off in an Oct. 18 debate, which will take place at WMTV-TV in Madison and will be televised and broadcast on radio throughout the state.

Hovde, a banking and real estate mogul, has also agreed to participate in debates hosted by Milwaukee's WISN-TV and Green Bay's WFRV-TV.

Asked whether Baldwin is considering agreeing to the other debates, a campaign spokesman said, "Tammy is looking forward to debating Eric Hovde at the WBA debate which will air in every media market across the state this fall."

"Meanwhile she will keep doing what she has always done as Wisconsin's senator: showing up in red, blue, and purple; urban, suburban and rural communities, listening to working people, and taking their voices to Washington," Baldwin campaign spokesman Andrew Mamo said in a statement.

In a statement, Hovde called on Baldwin to participate in all three proposed debates.

"The people of Wisconsin deserve to hear about the choice they have in the Senate election this fall, and I call on Sen. Baldwin to agree to debates across Wisconsin to explain her record as a career politician responsible for higher inflation and open borders," Hovde said. "I am happy to contrast that with my background as a political outsider who will get things done and who will put Wisconsin ahead of special interests."

Baldwin is seeking a third Senate term. She was first elected in 2012, defeating Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson by 5.6 points. She nearly doubled her victory margin in 2018, fending off a challenge from Republican former state Sen. Leah Vukmir by 10.8 points.

Hovde finished a close second to Thompson in the 2012 GOP Senate primary and contemplated a 2018 Senate run.

In both 2012 and 2018, the candidates participated in three debates.

"Sen. Baldwin was happy to support the Biden agenda every step of the way in Washington — but now that it has led to inflation, open borders and a drug epidemic in Wisconsin she is ducking the voters that will ultimately hold her accountable," said Hovde spokesman Ben Voelkel in a statement. "It is shameful and cowardly, but just the kind of thing to expect from a career politician that has sold out to special interests and is not for Wisconsin anymore."

Wisconsin's U.S Senate election could help determine which party controls the body after November's election.

The WBA debate will be available for Wisconsin radio and television stations to broadcast live or on delay.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Eric Hovde pushes Tammy Baldwin to agree to more Senate race debates