The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel takes a look at the Wisconsin Republicans who could take on Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin in this swing state, though only one would-be candidate confirmed he was interested. Wealthy businessman Eric Hovde told the paper, “I'm looking seriously at this race but won't even try to make a decision until this fall.” Hovde narrowly lost the 2012 primary to former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who in turn lost to Baldwin; Hovde considered both another try in 2018 and a run for governor last year, but he stayed out of both races.
The paper also notes that Rep. Mike Gallagher continues to be mentioned as a possibility, though the congressman has said little about his interest in public. Gallagher declared in December that a Senate campaign was "not on my mind," which was not a no. A spokesperson for fellow Rep. Tom Tiffany was likewise blithe this month, merely saying, “Congressman Tiffany is focused on serving the people of northern and western Wisconsin.” An advisor for a third congressman, Bryan Steil, meanwhile said that Steil “plans on running for reelection in 2024.”
The Journal Sentinel also names a few other Republicans as possibilities. One familiar name is businessman Kevin Nicholson, the former College Democrats of America president who lost the 2018 primary to face Baldwin and dropped out of last year’s nomination contest for governor. The paper also lists former Rep. Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy, his wife and fellow Fox News talking head, but acknowledges that “[n]either is likely to run.” The couple lives in New Jersey, though this didn’t stop Donald Trump in 2021 from unsuccessfully urging Sean Duffy to challenge Gov. Tony Evers.