Democrats respond to Hovde's loaded speech at RNC

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde blasted his opponent while calling for national unity during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Trump-endorsed Republican, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin, spoke Tuesday at the RNC, a night themed “Make America Safe Again.” He tied Baldwin to President Joe Biden Administration’s national security policies, calling her support of the president proof she is “detached” from Wisconsin voters’ concerns.

“America is struggling under Joe Biden, and Sen. Baldwin has been a rubber stamp voting with him 95.5% of the time,” Hovde told the crowd. “Biden, with Baldwin's help, has weakened us in every way, making Americans less safe.”

Hovde referenced border security, the defund the police movement, the fentanyl crisis,and international aggression from Russia, Iran, Hamas and China as examples.

“Under President Trump, family budgets were more secure, our border was secure, our world was secure. Where Biden and Baldwin have failed, President Trump and I will get the job done,” he said.

Hovde also called for national unity during his speech, where he accused the left and the media of sowing division among Americans.

“Instead of putting on just the blue jersey or the red jersey, we need to put on the red-white-and blue jersey and come together as Americans. We need to heal this country from the division that the left has brought,” said Hovde. “If we can come together we will win Wisconsin, we will restore America.

Baldwin responded on social media, calling her opponent “the California bank owner trying to buy Wisconsin’s Senate seat.”

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Director Arik Wolk also released a statement following Hovde’s speech, accusing the candidate of only looking out for his own interests.

“Nothing out-of-touch California multimillionaire Eric Hovde said on stage can change the fact that for months, Wisconsinites have heard him make disparaging remarks about folks across the state,” said Wolk. “Wisconsinites will reject Eric Hovde and the disrespect he shows them every day, and will reelect Tammy Baldwin, who spends every minute working for Wisconsin families – from protecting made-in-America manufacturing, to standing up to Big Pharma and defending our reproductive freedoms.”

The majority of recent polls show Baldwin at least 5 points ahead of Hovde.