Eric Hovde Is Following Ron Johnson’s Playbook in Wisconsin

Johnson won against a popular incumbent by framing himself as an outsider. Hovde hopes the same will work for him.

Eric Hovde AP-24051826528769

Republican Eric Hovde is facing off against Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who won by about 11 points last election. John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP

Eric Hovde is following a playbook that feels rather familiar in his campaign to unseat Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Hovde announced his candidacy late in the game, toward the end of February. Fourteen years ago, Sen. Ron Johnson entered his first Senate race just six months before ballots were cast that November.

Hovde, who heads a bank and has other ventures in property and investment, has been hammering in his business background. His advertising includes educational videos on finance, and he pledged to donate his Senate salary thanks to his sizable personal wealth.