MARINETTE — U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin received plenty of applause and photo opportunities with fellow Democrats Friday in Marinette, but afterward she declined to answer a question regarding her support for President Joe Biden, also a Democrat.
Baldwin, who is running against Republican Eric Hovde, was at A Place For Coffee, 1059 Marinette Ave., as part of her four-day “Fired Up for Tammy” tour. The campaign swing started Thursday in Ashland and Minocqua, continued Friday in Marinette and Ashwaubenon, moved on Saturday to Door, Fond du Lac and Ozaukee counties, and concluded Sunday in Dane County.
Meanwhile, Biden was in Madison on Friday working on his own re-election campaign. Since Biden’s disastrous performance in a debate with former President Donald Trump, his likely opponent in November, some Democrats have distanced themselves from the president. Some have asked for change at the top of the party.
During a very brief press gaggle following the campaign visit, Baldwin was asked her thoughts on whether Biden should remain on the ticket or whether he should step aside.
“I will tell you that I’m focused on my own campaign and I am doing this ‘Fired up for Tammy’ tour - been doing it all week,” she said. When pressed for an answer, she continued, “I’ve been traveling around the state, meeting people where they are and that’s my focus.”
More than 100 supporters turned out for the rally and a chance to meet Baldwin. She spoke for about 25 minutes, pausing only when her backers applauded on several occasions. Following her talk, people shook her hand, engaged in small talk and posed with her for photographs.
Marinette County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Faller said he was pleased with the turnout and to be part of Baldwin’s tour.
“It’s a wonderful thing to have Tammy stop up here,” he said, noting the large turnout on a rainy day after a holiday.
Faller introduced Baldwin, 62, a Madison native who began her political career at the age of 24 after she earned a law degree. She served on the Dane County Board of Supervisors from 1986-1994 and filled a one-year term on the Madison City Council. Baldwin served three terms in the Wisconsin Assembly (1993-1998), seven terms in Congress (1999-2012) and has been a U.S. Senator since 2013. She was the first female senator in the state and the first openly gay member of the Wisconsin Assembly and one of the few nationwide at the time.
“In short, Tammy Baldwin has been representing the interests of Wisconsin for a long time,” Faller said. “Tammy Baldwin has had the back of the people of Wisconsin for a long time and now it’s our turn to return the favor.”
Baldwin on Friday talked about being raised by her grandparents. She said her mother was 19 and going through a divorce when she was born. Her mother suffered from mental illness, opioid addiction and physical ailments. Baldwin, at age 9, spent three months in the hospital with a disease similar to spinal meningitis.
She said back then she could not be covered by her grandparents’ insurance.
“I grew up watching my mother struggle and watching my grandparents worry and said ‘our system is screwed up.’” she said. “I wanted to be a part of fixing it. So what did I do? I ran for office.”
Baldwin told her supporters Wisconsin is a key battleground state. She said Republicans have taken notice by getting a tough candidate with deep pockets to run against her.
“They are recruiting multimillionaires in all the swing states,” she said of Republicans.
Baldwin said Hovde has a $7 million home in Laguna Beach, California, and has been named one of the most influential business people in Orange County three years in a row.
“Raise your hand if you’ve been to Orange County, Wisconsin,” Baldwin quipped.
The candidate also touched on key issues such as abortion rights, the Affordable Care Act, inflation, jobs and prescription drug prices.
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