MADISON, Wis. - The race for Wisconsin's closely watched Senate seat is heating up as Republican millionaire businessman Eric Hovde and incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin waste no time attacking each other following Hovde's primary victory. The seat in battleground Wisconsin is considered essential for Democrats, who aim to maintain majority control of the Senate. A win for Republicans would significantly boost their chances of gaining an upper hand in an election landscape where Democrats are defending more Senate seats this year.

Eric Hovde, a self-funded candidate with deep pockets and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, aims to unseat Senator Baldwin, a liberal Democrat known for her ability to appeal to independent and moderate voters. Despite facing minimal opposition in the primary, Hovde has been focused on Baldwin since entering the race. In just four months, he has already invested $13 million of his personal wealth into the contest.

Following his primary win, Hovde released a statement criticizing Senator Baldwin's tenure in Washington, stating, "Tammy Baldwin has been in Washington for twenty-five years and things have only gotten worse. It's time for change." He also expressed concerns about the expected $100 million spending from Baldwin's side, acknowledging that he would not be able to match it with his own funds.

Baldwin has been quick to counterattack, highlighting Hovde's wealth, primarily derived from his management of Utah-based Sunwest Bank and ownership of a $7 million estate in Laguna Beach, California. She has portrayed him as an outsider disconnected from Wisconsin values, stating, "Eric Hovde is a multi millionaire California bank owner who has insulted our seniors, our farmers, our moms, and just about everyone else in our great state."

In response to these attacks, Hovde emphasized his Madison roots and dismissed claims of being a Californian. He stated, "Everybody here knows I'm not a Californian. I've never been a resident of the state of California one year of my life."

As the race intensifies, both candidates have been actively campaigning across Wisconsin. Senator Baldwin embarked on a rural Wisconsin tour, visiting a farm in Merrill and a brewery in Chippewa Falls, while Hovde aired positive ads featuring his wife and highlighting his charitable work and battle with multiple sclerosis.

Television ads from both sides have touched upon various issues. Baldwin's ads have focused on Hovde's opposition to abortion rights, his comments seemingly denigrating farmers' work ethic, and his stance on nursing home residents' voting rights. Hovde has accused Baldwin of distorting his comments, lying about his record, and misleading voters.

On the other hand, Hovde's ads have targeted national themes Republicans are using against Democrats this election cycle, including blaming Baldwin for high inflation, what he perceives as a failed border policy, and crime. He has also attempted to portray Baldwin as a career politician too extreme for Wisconsin, an attack that has previously been unsuccessful against her in past campaigns.

Despite her liberal voting record, Senator Baldwin has emphasized bipartisanship throughout her campaign. She has highlighted her buy-American bill signed into law by former President Trump and co-authored a bill with Senator JD Vance that aims to ensure taxpayer-funded inventions are manufactured domestically.

In 2012, Senator Baldwin won her first Senate race against popular former Republican Governor Tommy Thompson by nearly 6 points, aided by then-President Barack Obama's presence on the ballot. She secured reelection in 2018 by a landslide margin of 11 points over then-state Senator Leah Vukmir. However, given the narrow margins in recent presidential elections in Wisconsin, including four of the last six races being decided by less than a point, this year's contest promises to be closely contested.

As both candidates prepare for a fierce battle, Senator Baldwin currently leads in the latest Marquette University Law School poll conducted between July 24 and August 1. The poll shows her slightly ahead of Hovde among likely voters. Despite this, Hovde remains confident, stating, "I'm going up against somebody who has spent their entire life in politics. I feel really good about where I am. The heart of this campaign will now start getting litigated."

With both candidates gearing up for a competitive race, Wisconsin voters will have a significant decision to make in November's election.