Tammy Baldwin reflects on victory, split ticket and outperforming VP Harris

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- She was viewed as one of the most vulnerable senators in the county, yet Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin narrowly won Wisconsin while a Republican, former President Donald Trump, secured the top of the ticket.

So how did Baldwin do it?

"Showing up matters," Baldwin said. "Traveling the state extensively, and not just blue areas of the state, but deep red areas of the state."

Baldwin, who defeated GOP businessman Eric Hovde by fewer than 30,000 votes, credits her victory to her familiarity with voters, winning over rural Wisconsin by touting "Made in America" policies and meeting farmers face to face.

These efforts factored into Baldwin outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris in 65 out of Wisconsin's 72 counties.

"I think Kamala Harris did what she could in 107 days, but it takes time to build up trust," Baldwin said. "I think one of the stark differences is… I've been able to build these relationships, travel the state extensively for years."

On agriculture policy, Baldwin said she's been recognized "as a champion" on rural issues. She became the first statewide Democrat in more than 20 years to receive an endorsement from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

The campaign also tried to capitalize on ads targeting Hovde's lack of knowledge about the U.S. farm bill. During a televised debate, Hovde said he is "not an expert" on the legislation that is essential to farmers in Wisconsin.

Hovde repeatedly defended his comments, telling reporters, “Why in God’s green Earth would I know all the details in a farm bill when I’m not serving in this Senate right now?”

Efforts to expand broadband and securing funding for dairy farms are other issues Baldwin credited to her winning campaign.

In the final weeks of the race, Baldwin faced increased security over her years-long relationship with private wealth adviser Maria Brisbane. Republican ads zeroed in on them claiming there was a conflict of interest because Brisbane advises wealthy industries that Baldwin oversees in Washington D.C.

Advertisements accused the senator of being "in bed with Wall Street" and others characterized Brisbane as Baldwin's "life partner."

Baldwin called the ads "complete lies" and "over the top." She is not required to disclose her partner's assets under the current Senate rules because Baldwin and Brisbane are not married.

The third term senator was also able to overcome economic headwinds that factored into Harris' loss.

Wisconsin was one of a handful of states with split ticket outcomes for Senate and president. Both Baldwin and Trump won by less than one percentage point.

When asked about the rare outcome, Baldwin said it shows "there is so much more that unites us as a state than divides us."

Baldwin's path to victory is one Democrats are keeping close tabs on heading into another high stakes election year. The ideological balance of the state Supreme Court is up for grabs in 2025, with outgoing liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announcing she won't seek another term.

Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the Elections Research Center, said Baldwin's victory could be a future roadmap for Democrats.

"I think it's a very complicated playbook," Burden said. "Democrats have to continue to give attention to rural, small communities where they have not done well and been losing ground, but they also have to depend on large cities like Madison and Milwaukee to really crank up the vote."

Conservatives will have a shot to take back control of the court after losing it in 2023, which currently has a 4-3 liberal tilt.

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and former GOP state Attorney General Brad Schimel have announced bids for Bradley's seat on the high court.