Madison, Wisconsin — During her victory speech on Thursday, Senator Tammy Baldwin expressed her commitment to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump when appropriate, while also pledging to resist any efforts that could threaten the Affordable Care Act and abortion rights. Baldwin secured a narrow victory for her third term against Republican challenger Eric Hovde, who has yet to concede amidst the close results, which could lead to a possible recount.
Baldwin’s victory margin was less than 29,000 votes, approximately 0.9% based on preliminary counts. According to state law, candidates who lose by less than 1 percentage point are eligible to request a recount. However, Hovde has not publicly indicated whether he plans to pursue this option. His campaign has not issued any immediate responses regarding the recount possibility.
To initiate a recount, Hovde would be responsible for covering the expenses and must submit his request within three days following the completion of the vote canvass by the counties, which are due by November 19, although many could finish earlier. Baldwin’s success stood out for Democrats amid a largely disappointing election cycle, where Trump captured Wisconsin as part of his return to the presidency. Notably, Baldwin’s vote share surpassed that of Vice President Kamala Harris by just under 1 point, closely aligning with Trump’s slight victory margin over Harris in the state.
“I acknowledge that Wisconsin voters opted for Donald Trump, and I respect that decision,” Baldwin stated. “You can be assured that I will always champion the interests of Wisconsin, which includes collaborating with President Trump when needed and opposing him when he acts against those interests.”
In her campaign, Baldwin referenced her buy-American initiative that gained Trump’s endorsement, highlighting the state’s politically fractured environment. Throughout her campaign, she made it a priority to engage with a broad spectrum of voters, which she credited for her victory. This election cycle marked a historic endorsement from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, a notable shift as they had not supported a Democrat in a statewide race for over two decades.
“We put in the effort everywhere, all at once,” Baldwin remarked regarding her campaign strategy. “I visited every type of community: red, blue, purple, rural, suburban, and urban. I dedicated time to understanding people’s concerns and made a commitment to them. In return, the people of Wisconsin showed up for me, and I am incredibly thankful for that.”
Baldwin concluded her event without taking questions from the audience. Her victory comes at a time when Democrats faced significant setbacks nationally, allowing Republicans to take control of the Senate.