GOP challenger links Senator Baldwin’s comment about Trump voters to Clinton’s infamous ‘deplorables’ moment

ON FOX FIRST: Republican businessman Eric Hovde is using Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s past comments about Trump supporters against her as he tries to dethrone her in the critical swing state of Wisconsin.

In a new ad from the Hovde campaign, Baldwin says: “Donald Trump may be one of the most offensive, hateful and unacceptable presidential candidates we’ve ever had. So what does that say about the people who support him?”

The comment, which comes from a 2016 speech, is dropped alongside former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s infamous comment, which some say cost her the election of then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.

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Hovde compared Baldwin’s comment to Hillary Clinton calling Trump voters “deplorable.” (Reuters)

The ad will air on television across Wisconsin starting Tuesday and is part of an ongoing multimillion-dollar statewide advertising campaign.

“Tammy Baldwin hates Trump and Trump voters, just listen to her own words when it comes to what she thinks about them. Like Hillary Clinton, Baldwin’s contempt for Trump voters in Wisconsin will haunt her on Election Day,” said Hovde spokesman Zach Bannon. said in a statement.

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Hovde and Baldwin are vying for a competitive seat in the Wisconsin Senate. (Reuters)

In response, a spokesperson for Baldwin told Fox News Digital in a statement: “Tammy Baldwin fights for all Wisconsinites, no matter who they are, who they vote for or where they live. That’s in stark contrast to her opponent Eric Hovde , who literally called Wisconsinites are deplorable, Democrats are a ‘curse on society’ and have insulted our farmers, seniors, youth, women, black men, Native American communities and more.”

The Democratic senator’s campaign also pointed to an interview on “The Jerry Bader Show” in 2016 in which Hovde used the word “deplorable” to describe the level of civic knowledge among the average American, with many not knowing what year the country was in was founded or who is the vice president.

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A woman wears a cheese hat with an American flag on it in Wisconsin. (Reuters)

In a recent Quinnipiac University poll on the Senate race, Baldwin defeated Hovde 50% to 46%. The narrow single-digit lead marks a significant closing of the initial election gap between the incumbent Democrat and her Republican challenger.

The survey was conducted between October 3 and 7 and included 1,073 likely voters. It had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

A major political handicap, the Cook Political Report, recently shifted the Wisconsin Senate rating from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss Up.”

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Trump gathered in the traditionally blue enclave of Dane County, Wisconsin. (Getty Images)

In the latest Fox News Power Rankings, the Wisconsin Senate race was considered “Leans Democrat,” with Baldwin still holding an advantage.

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Vote splitting between parties has become increasingly rare, and with the Senate race coinciding with a presidential election, the winner may well rest assured which party will take over the White House.

With about two weeks until Election Day, many have already cast their votes early and by mail.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on our Fox News Digital election hub.