Wisconsin 2018 Senate Race: Tammy Baldwin Faces Strong GOP Push

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 Marine veteran and businessman Kevin 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.

Primary candidates

Democrats

• Tammy Baldwin - Incumbent
• Mary Jo Walters

Republicans

• Griffin Jones
• Kevin Nicholson
• John Schiess
• Leah Vukmir - State Sen.

Veterans Party of America

• Joseph Schnering

As of early 2018, the Baldwin campaign says they have about $5.3 million cash on hand. On the Republican side Nicholson's campaign says it has raised more than $1.2 million since launching his bid for Wisconsin's senate seat last year. State Sen. Leah Vukmir entered the race in September and is reporting that she has raised just shy of $650,000.

Baldwin By The Numbers

Top 5 Contributors

1. University of Wisconsin $99,542
2. J Street $41,933
3. Womencount PAC $41,750
4. Northwestern Mutual $35,895
5. League of Conservation Voters $34,911

J Street is a nonprofit advocacy group who's stated goal is to promote American leadership to end the Arab–Israeli and Israel–Palestinian conflicts peacefully and diplomatically. Womencount is a political action committee that crowdfunds to support women in politics.

Top 3 Contributor Types

1. Small Individual Contributions $4,143,406
2. Large Individual Contributions $4,993,065
3. PAC Contributions $1,155,919

Patch.com File Photo