Eric Hovde lawsuit against local TV stations to continue

GREEN BAY, WI- (WGBW) – The lawsuit brought by a Eric Hovde, a former candidate for U.S. Senator in Wisconsin, against several Wisconsin television stations will continue. 

Hovde, the Republican who ran for Senate against Tammy Baldwin, accuses several television stations of defamation for airing commercials by the Democratic Political Action Group WinSenate PAC. 

Brown County Judge Donald Zuidmulder heard arguments Thursday (1/2/25)  on a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. He gave no ruling. However, he did give the attorneys more time to submit written arguments. 

The lawsuit was filed in Brown County Circuit Court in August 2024 as the campaign was starting to ramp up.

The suit names the parent companies of WBAY TV – Gray Media, Nexstar for WFRV TV, and Scripps Media, the parent company of WGBA and WACY TV. It also names Sinclair Broadcasting, the parent company of WLUK. However, WLUK Fox 11 was not named as a defendant. Sinclair’s Milwaukee station WVTV was named. 

In addition to the Green Bay television stations, Hovde’s suit also named stations in Antigo, Eau Claire, Kenosha, LaCrosse, Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau.

Eric Hovde and Hovde for Wisconsin, Inc. are both named as plaintiffs in the suit.

Zuidmulder anticipates issuing a ruling in the coming weeks.