The Wisconsin Senate race is now a “toss up” between incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde, according to the Cook Political Report.
The election forecaster announced on Tuesday that the race had shifted from “lean Democratic” to “toss up” as polls show Baldwin’s lead decreasing. The move comes after a survey from Cook found that Baldwin held a 49%-47% lead over Hovde, much smaller than her seven point lead in Cook’s previous poll.
The race has tightened because Hovde had consolidated Republican support and made gains among independents, according to Cook.
“Sen. Baldwin’s radical agenda has sparked record high inflation, created chaos [at] the southern border, and made our communities less safe,” Hovde spokesman Zach Bannon said in response to the news. “Eric Hovde is going to win because the people of Wisconsin are ready for change.”
The National Republican Senatorial Committee said that the ratings shift demonstrated that Wisconsin was ready for change.
“After 25 years in Washington, Tammy Baldwin has become the typical D.C. politician, voting in lockstep with the failed Biden agenda and hiding her Wall Street partner’s stock trades from her constituents. Wisconsinites are ready for change, and Eric Hovde has the momentum,” spokesman Tate Mitchell said.
Last week, it was reported that Democratic strategists were having “alarm bells” and “growing fear” about retaining Baldwin’s seat as Axios reported that her lead in internal polls had shrunk to just two points.
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The Democratic fears come as Hovde has benefited from a recent influx of cash backing his campaign. The Republican Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC linked to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), is committing $17 million to elect Hovde.
With Democrats currently holding a 51-49 advantage in the Senate, both parties are gearing up for what is expected to be a tight battle for the majority. Republicans are currently expected to pick up seats in West Virginia and Montana, while races in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin are all expected to be competitive.
“I wish I had better news, but four recent polls show this race statistically tied,” Baldwin said in September. “Our Senate majority will come down to Wisconsin.”
Hovde and Baldwin are set to debate on October 18 in Madison, just weeks before Election Day.
