Wisconsin GOP Senate Candidate Slams Tammy Baldwin as 'Rubber Stamp' on Biden

MILWAUKEE—Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde during a speech to the Republican National Convention on Tuesday slammed Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin as a "rubber stamp" for President Joe Biden's agenda.

Hovde, a businessman and banking magnate who grew up in Wisconsin, highlighted Baldwin's long record of supporting Biden, from whom the Democratic senator has tried to distance herself in recent weeks.

He criticized Baldwin for "voting with [Biden] 95.5 percent" of the time and argued that "Biden, with Baldwin's help, has weakened us in every way."

Hovde argued that Biden's economic and foreign policies, which he said Baldwin supports, have weakened the United States.

"They've eroded us financially by racking up more debt in the last three and a half years than our country's first 230 years, fueling massive inflation and leaving families wondering how they're going to pay the bills," said Hovde.

He also noted that Baldwin has embraced Biden and "called the Biden administration the most successful in generations."

"Can you believe that one? I mean, seriously, this shows how detached she is from everyday Wisconsinites," he said.

Hovde and Baldwin are facing off in the most competitive Senate races in the country, and the results could determine party control of the upper chamber next year.

Hovde's comments come weeks after Baldwin declined to appear with Biden when he visited Madison, Wis., in July and as she has dodged questions about whether she supports Biden staying in the presidential race after his poor debate performance.

Following the debate, Baldwin's campaign spokesman said the Democratic candidate still "supports the president" but added that she is "running her own race for the people of Wisconsin."