Wisconsin US Senate candidates commerce accusations of mendacity throughout testy debate

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Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde repeatedly accused one another of mendacity over the course of their intently watched Senate race throughout an often-testy and confrontational debate Friday.

Listed here are eight takeaways from the controversy, held in Madison and hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Affiliation:

Repeated allegations of mendacity

Of their back-and-forth, every candidate accused the opposite of taking part in quick and free with the reality, each on the marketing campaign path and in the course of the debate itself.

“The one factor you’ve perfected in Washington is your skill to lie,” Hovde mentioned throughout an change about Social Safety.

His remark got here after Baldwin identified that Hovde helps returning the federal funds to 2019 ranges, which she mentioned will end in huge cuts to common applications like Social Safety.

“He helps spending, simply not for you,” Baldwin mentioned.

Baldwin famous that greater than a dozen unbiased fact-checkers discovered that Hovde made false statements in the course of the marketing campaign.

Hovde responded by alleging that “Each single certainly one of her advertisements has been false.” He provided no proof to again that up.

Hovde will get private. Baldwin tells him to thoughts his personal enterprise

Hovde repeatedly referred to as on Baldwin to reveal extra details about the investments and enterprise dealings of her associate, Maria Brisbane, ranked by Forbes as one of many nation’s prime feminine wealth advisers. There isn’t any requirement for Baldwin to launch that info.

“They don’t disclose these investments and the way a lot they’re benefiting from it,” Hovde mentioned, calling it a battle of curiosity for Baldwin. “That’s essentially unsuitable.”

“Eric Hovde ought to keep out of my private life,” Baldwin shot again. “And I feel I converse for many Wisconsin ladies that he ought to keep out of all of our private lives.”

If elected, Hovde can be one of many richest members of the Senate based mostly on his marketing campaign finance report, which confirmed he has property price between about $195 million and greater than $564 million. Baldwin listed property between $601,000 and almost $1.3 million.

Baldwin helps nationwide abortion regulation. Hovde needs states to determine
Baldwin voiced her assist for passing a federal regulation that will make abortion authorized nationwide, because it was earlier than the U.S. Supreme Courtroom overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

“Girls are dying due to the present scenario,” she mentioned. “Harrowing issues are taking place to ladies on this state.”

Hovde beforehand mentioned he supported the overturning of Roe v. Wade, however now says he wouldn’t vote for a federal ban on abortion. As a substitute, he says, states ought to determine. That could be a change of place from 2012, when Hovde final ran for Senate as somebody “completely opposed” to abortion.

“I’m not for a nationwide abortion ban,” Hovde mentioned in the course of the debate. “I by no means have been.”

Former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Hovde, has urged that he would assist a federal ban.

Hovde produces utility invoice to show he doesn’t dwell in California

Baldwin and her supporters have tried to color Hovde as extra California than Wisconsin as a result of he owns a $7 million property within the Pacific seaside metropolis of Laguna Seaside and owns Sunwest Financial institution, which operates on the West Coast.

Hovde was born and raised in Wisconsin.

“I’m supposedly a jerk from California,” he mentioned earlier than pulling from his pocket a doc that he mentioned was a utility invoice for his Madison. He challenged Baldwin to supply 10 years of utility payments to show the place she lives.

Baldwin backs Obamacare. Hovde needs modifications
Baldwin voiced sturdy assist for the the nationwide well being care regulation, whereas Hovde referred to as for modifications.

“We have to construct upon the Reasonably priced Care Act,” Baldwin mentioned.

Hovde mentioned the regulation has not slowed well being care value will increase, improved entry or allowed folks to maintain their medical doctors.

“I’m a believer in outcomes, and when you take a look at the outcomes, each a type of guarantees has failed,” he mentioned.

Hovde opposes absentee poll drop packing containers

Hovde questioned the usage of the drop packing containers, which the Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom banned in 2022 however then allowed once more this yr after the courtroom turned managed by liberal justices.

“We’ve to create confidence in our voting system,” Hovde mentioned. “It’s inflicting an excessive amount of stress in our nation. And let me inform you, it doesn’t assist when our state Supreme Courtroom brings again drop packing containers, when these had been solely used for a pandemic. So why are they being introduced again?”

Drop packing containers have been used for years in Wisconsin, however they turned extra prevalent in 2020 in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greater than 500 packing containers had been utilized in 2020, however this yr the Wisconsin Elections Fee mentioned it’s conscious of solely 78 in use. There might be extra since communities don’t should report them.

Presidential race is basically absent from the controversy

There was just one passing reference to Trump and never a single point out of Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the course of the hourlong debate. Hovde backs Trump and has appeared at his rallies. Baldwin helps Harris and has spoken at her occasions within the state.

The stakes

Democrats should maintain onto the Wisconsin seat in the event that they hope to keep up their slim majority within the Senate. Democrats are defending 23 seats, whereas Republicans have simply 11 up for grabs this election.

Republicans see a chance in swing-state Wisconsin, and each side have poured cash into the marketing campaign, making it one of many 5 costliest Senate races this yr.