Republican businessman Eric Hovde plans to enter the U.S. Senate race next week to challenge Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who could help determine which party controls the chamber.
Hovde campaign adviser Ben Voelkel confirmed the planned start to NBC News.
Hovden’s inevitable entry into the race battlefield Wisconsin ending months of speculation about who would challenge Baldwin, the powerful and well-funded incumbent.
In recent months, two other Wisconsin Republicans — Reps. Mike Gallagher and Tom Tiffany — have challenged Baldwin as he seeks a third term. Another GOP businessman in the state, Scott Mayer, declined to enter the race.
Hovden’s business empire includes a Madison-based real estate company and numerous banking companies.
He ran for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin in 2012, losing to former Republican governor Tommy Thompson, before losing to Baldwin in the general election.
Since that race, Hovde has lived on and off in California — a truism for Democrats tried to emphasize For several months, the businessman considers whether to start the campaign.
“Mitch McConnell may be trying to bring a mega-millionaire bank owner from California to Wisconsin to buy this Senate seat, but voters in this state know who’s really going to fight for them,” Baldwin campaign spokesman Andrew Mamo said in a statement. “We look forward to matching Eric Hovden, named one of Orange County’s Most Influential People three years in a row, with Tammy Baldwin, a public servant with a proven track record of standing up to the wealthy, and we are well connected on their behalf. from middle-class Wisconsin families.
Nonpartisan Cook has a Political Report evaluated “Lean Democrat” Wisconsin Senate Race.
Democrats are fighting an uphill battle for a majority in the Senate this election cycle. The party needs to defend 23 seats in November, including two Democratic-aligned independents, while Republicans need to defend just 11 seats.
When he officially launches his campaign, Hovden is expected to receive the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official campaign arm of the Senate GOP. NRSC Chairman Steve Daines said in DecemberAmidst speculation that Hovden will soon join the race, the group will back his bid.
An NRSC spokesman declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Mayer has hired campaign consultants in recent weeks but has repeatedly declined to say whether he will enter the race.
Former Milwaukee County Sheriff and Donald Trump ally David Clark is also considering a run.