Parents Of GOP Senate Hopeful Give Max To Democrat Tammy Baldwin

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI — The parents of a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Wisconsin have given the maximum amount of donations to Tammy Baldwin - the Democratic incumbent he hopes to defeat this fall.

Republican Kevin Nicholson of Waukesha County, Wis. - one of the most conservatively-voting counties in the U.S. - announced his bid to run against Baldwin in summer of 2017, but it ran against his parents' political leanings.

"I'm a conservative today not because I was born one, but because of the experience I earned as a Marine in combat, my experience as a husband and father, my choice to be a Christian, the schools I chose to attend and the decision to pursue the career that I have," Nicholson said in his statement on Tuesday published in the Journal Sentinel.

Donna and Michael Nicholson donated the maximum $2,700 to Baldwin in December. They can donate $2,700 more in the general election to whomever they choose.

Nicholson faces GOP competitors State Senator Leah Vukmir, Griffin Jones and John Schleiss in the fall primary. The fall 2018 primary will be held on Aug. 14.

Democrats Hope to Gain Seats

Republicans currently hold a 51-49 advantage in the U.S. Senate. This year, the GOP looks to pick up more seats as 26 Democratic seats are up for election, compared to just eight Republican seats. What's more, five of the Democratic seats are up for election in states where President Donald Trump won by 18 percent or more.
Trump won Wisconsin by less than a percentage point in 2016. Wisconsin's Senate seat up for election in Fall 2018 is currently held by incumbent Tammy Baldwin, who is expected to face one of two Republican challengers this fall — either state Sen. Leah Vukmir or Nicholson.

Competition in the Badger State

Just how competitive will Wisconsin's Senate race be? According to a recent Huffington Post article, conservative groups have so far spent at least $3.1 million against Baldwin, which is more than what all the other Democratic Senate incumbents on the ballot this year have faced combined — and it's not even close.

According to the Washington Post, Baldwin faces a formidable foe in her home state. The Post says that although Baldwin is able to speak to Republican-leaning voters, she is also running against one of the best-mobilized state parties in all of politics, which will be trying to get Gov. Scott Walker (R) reelected to a third term.

"Voters will have a choice in November between a Republican candidate who is committed to bold reforms for Wisconsinites, or Senator Tammy Baldwin who has built her career picking Washington over Wisconsin. From her cover up at that Tomah VA to her more than 400 votes in favor of higher taxes and fees, Baldwin has shown she'll put far-left ideas ahead of Wisconsin's hard-working families time and again." said Alec Zimmerman, spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin told Patch.com

According to CNN Politics, Wisconsin is one of the Senate races to watch, and is named among the several Senate seats to switch parties in Fall of 2018.

National election forecaster Five Thirty Eight says that Wisconsin's Senate seat currently held by Baldwin isn't really in danger of flipping parties — giving Baldwin a 73 percent chance of retaining her seat.

Patch.com File Graphic