ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (WFRV) – U.S. Senate candidates are making their final pitches to voters a week ahead of the election.
Senator Tammy Baldwin stopped outside Hinterland Brewery in Ashwaubenon on Tuesday evening. It was part of her FORWARD bus tour that’s currently crisscrossing through the Badger state.
Wisconsin 8th Congressional candidate Kristin Lyerly joined Baldwin on the stop. They spoke about the importance of protecting the Affordable Care Act and a women’s right to choose.
They also talked about the importance of getting out and knocking on doors of potential voters. They emphasized that the margins are razor thin in this state and that every voter matters.
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They told people who are going door-to-door that it’s important to ask people if they plan to follow through on voting for a certain candidate. They said if you get people to say they’re voting for a certain candidate, they’ve formed a sort of contract with you, and they’re more likely to follow through when they actually go out and vote.
Baldwin also addressed an issue that impacts every voter in Wisconsin: the high prices consumers are seeing at grocery stores. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, food prices shot up by an average of 25 percent between 2019-2023.
“There’s corporate price gouging going on, and my solution would be being a champion for consumers,” said Baldwin. “A cop on the beat if you will. Investigating corporate price gouging, I support a bill that would empower the Federal Trade Commission to be that cop on the beat.”
There are already price gouging laws in Wisconsin.
Baldwin’s opponent Eric Hovde also has crisscrossed the state making his pitch to voters. In Milwaukee on Tuesday, he defended himself against some of the attacks that Baldwin has made against him over the last few months.
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“She has ads right now saying that I want to take social security away, are you kidding me I’m the one that’s trying to protect it,” said Hovde. “She’s totally misstated my position on abortion, I don’t agree with a national abortion ban. I actually believe that women should have a right to choose early on in their pregnancy.”
In a radio appearance in 2012, Hovde did say he was “totally opposed to abortion” but has since softened his stance. He has a page on his website dedicated to clarifying his current views on the topic which can be read here.
In her campaign stop in Ashwaubenon on Tuesday night, Baldwin also ended up on the defensive. She addressed an issue raised by her opponent that she has used her position in government to benefit her partner who is a financial advisor for the very wealthy.
“I think this invasion into my personal life is terrible,” said Baldwin. “I think my opponent Eric Hovde is simply trying to distract from his enormous conflict of interests. He owns a $3 billion California bank. That bank does business with foreign government.”
Hovde has previously denied that his position as CEO of his bank presents any potential conflict of interests.
The race is very close right now according to most polling.
“I think what voters are looking at for these final days is who is on their side who is fighting for them,” said Baldwin. “I have always fought for the working people and families of this state.”
“Look I feel really good about where we’re heading, I think most people in Wisconsin realize it’s time for change,” said Hovde. “I’m feeling really good, like I said momentum is on our side, you can feel the energy and I think that we’re going to be successful in a week from today.”
The election is on Nov. 5.
