Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin has successfully earned the endorsement of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, a prominent organization, further solidifying her standing as a candidate in the upcoming elections. As the deadline approaches, candidates are racing against time to prove their worth to the voters of Wisconsin.
According to Tyler Wenzlaff, the director of national affairs for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Wisconsin agriculture will be given top priority by her.
The organization’s main goals for the upcoming Congress include advocating for the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list, securing additional funding for dairy businesses, and enforcing regulations to prevent non-dairy products from using the term “milk.” Senator Baldwin has already introduced legislation in support of these initiatives.
Wenzlaff expressed his confidence in Senator Baldwin’s dedication to these priorities, stating that she has been a strong advocate for them. He believes that she will continue to push for progress in the Senate, regardless of which party takes control.
Baldwin, who is receiving this endorsement for the first time, is the sole Democrat among the six lawmakers who have been endorsed. According to Wenzlaff, the list primarily consists of Republicans due to the composition of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, with these lawmakers representing rural areas and prioritizing rural concerns.
Republican businessman Eric Hovde is opposing Baldwin in the upcoming election. Following the endorsement of Baldwin by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, a spokesperson for Hovde expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming that she has been responsible for “sparking record-high inflation” and emphasized that they will hold her accountable in November.
According to Kathleen Dolan, a distinguished professor of political science at UW-Milwaukee, not receiving the Farm Bureau’s endorsement may not greatly affect the campaign of Mr. Hovde.
She also believes that it does not necessarily indicate Senator Baldwin’s potential impact. However, Dolan suggests that the lack of endorsement from the Farm Bureau may signal uncertainty or skepticism about Hovde’s commitment to prioritizing agriculture if elected as a senator.
Political analysts argue that there is limited evidence to support the notion that endorsements hold significant sway over voters. In the past, Baldwin has garnered strong support from rural areas and Trump supporters.
However, this election year presents a new dynamic, as she finds herself sharing the ballot with Trump for the first time, while simultaneously confronting an opponent who has aligned himself closely with the former President.
According to Wenzlaff, the Farm Bureau did not endorse the two Democratic representatives from Wisconsin, Gwen Moore of Milwaukee and Mark Pocan of Madison. This decision was based on the fact that these representatives prioritize urban issues over rural ones.
