Republican candidate Eric Hovde is refusing to concede defeat in the race for one of Wisconsin’s seats in the U.S. Senate.

In a video posted to social media, he said he is waiting until Wisconsin election officials complete their canvassing efforts before deciding what to do in response to last week’s election.

Hovde, who was challenging Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin in the Senate race, was defeated last week by a razor-thin margin following a highly contentious campaign. Baldwin won by a less than 1% margin, or about 29,000 votes. (Former President Donald Trump won the state and its 10 electoral votes by a similar margin in the race for president.)

The Associated Press declared Baldwin the winner at 12:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

While Baldwin claimed victory before the Associated Press called the race, her Republican rival and his campaign hadn’t spoken publicly nor conceded the race. In the video released Tuesday, on social media, Hovde said he is weighing his options.

Many people have reached out to me with concerns about the voting inconsistencies we experienced on Election Day. Here are my thoughts: pic.twitter.com/zDvaeHaizw
— Eric Hovde (@EricHovde) November 12, 2024

Hovde made several allegations in this nearly 5-minute video. He said he was waiting for the Wisconsin Elections Commission to finalize their canvassing efforts before deciding what to do next, and whether that would include requesting a recount. He said the commission’s work was in its final stages.

He said that he was surprised by the election outcome and during the video, he raised several questions about some of the vote totals coming out of Milwaukee, typically a Democratic voting stronghold.

“Like many of my supporters, I was shocked by what unfolded on election night,” he said.

The Baldwin campaign responded to the Republican’s claims in a statement on social media, saying, “Eric Hovde has stooped as low as a politician can go: sowing doubt about our very democracy. Leaders on both sides of the aisle should condemn the lies he’s spreading and his pathetic campaign. Tammy Baldwin has won this race and there is only one thing for Hovde to do: concede.”

Hovde specifically raised questions about the number of absentee ballots coming out of Milwaukee early Wednesday morning – about 108,000, he said – and how these results showed strong support for Baldwin.

He said this voting breakdown didn’t match the results they were seeing compared to the same-day voting results in Milwaukee, which found Hovde was winning 22 percent of the votes.

“Statistically, this seemed improbable,” he said.

Typically, Democratic margins have been higher among early and absentee votes in Wisconsin.

Hovde said that he has also received reports about unusually high voter turnout in some precincts and he alleged high rates of same-day voter registrations in the area. He also attacked Democrats, accusing them of supporting third-party candidates in the race, and criticized the campaign ads against him.

The Milwaukee Elections Commission responded to Hovde in a statement.

“The Milwaukee Election Commission (MEC) unequivocally refutes Eric Hovde’s baseless claims regarding the integrity of our election process. Every aspect of the MEC’s operations was conducted with transparency and in strict adherence to established laws and procedures…The MEC celebrates the dedication of Milwaukee residents to participate in the democratic process and is fully confident that Mr. Hovde’s accusations lack any merit. Milwaukee voters can rest assured: the MEC conducted a fair, accurate, and secure election that fully protects voter rights and preserves the democratic process.”

At least one of the claims Hovde made about voter registration and turnout in Milwaukee has been already debunked by election experts. Responding to requests for comment from Civic Media, members of Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan civic education organization, criticized Hovde’s comments.

“As someone who has spent decades working in Wisconsin’s election system, I can assure you that our process is robust and transparent,” said Marge Bostleman, Keep Our Republic Wisconsin Advisory Council Member. “The increase in voter registration percentages after Election Day can seem surprising at first glance, but it’s common in Wisconsin, where same-day voter registration is an accessible option. Many Wisconsin counties, including Milwaukee, saw large numbers of residents register and vote on Election Day, and those registrations are fully legitimate and accounted for.

Bostleman is also a member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and previously served as the Green Lake County Clerk.

Hovde said he has been urged by some to contest the election results or ask for a recount.

“I’m deeply concerned (that) asking for a recount is a serious decision that requires careful consideration,” he said.

As for now, Hovde said he will wait until all information is and all options will be reviewed.

“I will announce my decision on how I will proceed,” he said.

Based on the Associated Press reports, Hovde’s vote totals is 0.9 percent behind Baldwin’s. This means he can request a recount if that margin holds when 100 percent of precincts are reporting.

After Hovde’s video was posted, Baldwin fired back against Hovde’s allegations and urged him to concede.

“Eric Hovde is spreading lies from the darkest corners of the internet to undercut our free and fair elections,” Baldwin said in a tweet on her X/Twitter account. “Wisconsin voters made their voices heard. It’s time for Hovde to stop this disgusting attack on our democracy and concede.”

Eric Hovde is spreading lies from the darkest corners of the internet to undercut our free and fair elections.

Wisconsin voters made their voices heard. It's time for Hovde to stop this disgusting attack on our democracy and concede.
— Tammy Baldwin (@tammybaldwin) November 12, 2024

Ari Mittleman, executive director of Keep Our Republic, also responded to Civic Media in a statement, saying, “The Milwaukee Election Commission operates over 200 neighborhood-based polling sites on Election Day, with the essential support of more than 1,400 dedicated Election Day workers, who work diligently to ensure smooth and effective operations. When we consider Milwaukee’s large population, it’s unsurprising that a significant number of votes for Democratic candidates are reported once the city’s counts come in. Additionally, the city’s election team addressed a minor technical issue with voting machines earlier in the day with complete transparency, maintaining a secure and uninterrupted voting process. Keep Our Republic stands firmly behind these election officials for their professionalism and dedication in upholding a secure and transparent election process for Wisconsin’s voters,”

Stay tuned to Civic Media for continuing coverage.

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