Republican Hovde launches Senate bid as party seeks to avoid Wisconsin primary

Wisconsin Republican Eric Hovde is expected to launch his Senate campaign next week, according to two Republicans familiar with his plans, as the GOP tries to avoid a damaging battleground state primary.

The wealthy GOP banker is expected to garner support from key Republican outside groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Ben Voelkel, a spokesman for Hovde, confirmed his plans to launch.

Simultaneously, Republicans are hoping Scott Mayer, another Badger State businessman, won’t run against Hovde in the primary to take on Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke had also made some noise about running, but has been quiet in recent weeks.

Mayer is also considering a Senate run, but sent confusing messages this week in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, in which he said he had hired staff for a potential Senate bid. He later clarified to the paper that he had staff lined up for the race but is not paying them because he has not announced his campaign.

National Republicans do not want a primary battle in Wisconsin, where Baldwin has won two terms and will be tough to beat no matter who they nominate. A damaging primary contest between two wealthy businessmen would not help the GOP’s chances in November.

Citing Mayer’s comments to the Milwaukee paper this week and some of his opaque political positions, “it’s safe to say people are concerned he would not be a strong candidate,” said one of the Republicans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss party strategy.

When reached for comment Thursday morning, Mayer said “we’ll see what happens” but declined to expand further.

Hovde ran for the GOP nomination to take on Baldwin in 2012 but narrowly lost the primary to former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. Thompson lost the race to Baldwin and Republicans struggled to mount a credible campaign against her in 2018, when she won by more than 10 points.

Andrew Mamo, a spokesperson for Baldwin’s campaign, said “Mitch McConnell can try to bring a mega millionaire California bank owner to Wisconsin to buy this Senate seat, but voters in this state know who will really fight for them.”

Republicans hope landing Hovde could further expand the Senate battleground map for the GOP, which landed former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan last week.

Democrats currently have a 51-seat majority. But with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) at the end of the year and tough pick-up opportunities in Florida and Texas, they may need to hold all of their incumbents and the presidency to retain the Senate majority next year.