Home  /  Senate – Wisconsin 2024

Candidate Comparisons

The NWLC Action Fund aims to inform the public about candidates’ positions on issues affecting gender justice. We encourage voters to get informed, learn where their candidates stand, and to encourage candidates to adopt policy positions that support women and girls.

A full list of policies used to assess candidates’ support can be found here.

Tammy
Baldwin

vs.

Eric
Hovde

Supports

Support full access to abortion care

Opposes

Supports

Increase families’ access to child care and elder care

Opposes

Supports

Protect access to fertility care and birth control

Opposes

Supports

Protect access to democracy for all

Opposes

Supports

Nominate and confirm federal judges with a strong record of gender justice, and hold them accountable to uniform ethical standards

Opposes

Supports

Create equal and safe workplaces for women

Opposes

Supports

Protect schools, teachers, and libraries from censorship and discrimination

Opposes

Supports

Create safe, inclusive, and supportive schools

Opposes

Supports

Support and include LGBTQI+ kids

Opposes

Paid for by the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund (www.nwlcactionfund.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Evidences/Citations

Support workplace justice for women - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Raise the minimum wage to at least $17/hour – likely supports
    1. The Democratic 2024 platform says “[Democrats will] work to finally raise the federal minimum wage to at least $15-an-hour.”
    2. Baldwin helped introduce 2021 Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour

Support workplace justice for women - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Raise the minimum wage to at least $17/hour – opposes
    1. He has previously said that “the minimum wage was never supposed to be a living wage”
  2. Close the wage gap – unclear

Strengthen families' ability to find and/or provide care and taxing the rich so there are more public dollars to invest in people, their families, and their communities - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Enact the Biden administration’s $16 billion Emergency Child Care Funding Request – supports
    1. In a press release, Baldwin called for “$16 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for an additional year of child care stabilization funding to help keep child care providers afloat, mitigating the likelihood that providers will close or raise costs for families.”
    2. During COVID, Baldwin joined colleagues to call for $50 billion in child care relief to be added to the next COVID package.
  2. Establish a comprehensive system for aging and disability care – supports
    1. Baldwin cosponsored the Disability Integration Act of 2019, which would – among other things – “prohibit government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life.”
    2. The Democratic Platform says “We will protect the health and dignity of older adults and people with disabilities by improving long-term care and supporting family caregivers, and we will invest in care infrastructure by raising wages and the quality of care worker jobs.”

Strengthen families' ability to find and/or provide care and taxing the rich so there are more public dollars to invest in people, their families, and their communities - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Enact the Biden administration’s $16 billion Emergency Child Care Funding Request – unclear
  2. Establish a comprehensive system for aging and disability care – opposes
    1. He has called for a complete overhaul of Medicare and Social Security.
    2. He also supported Paul Ryan’s proposed cuts

Unrig our tax system to make the rich pay and support families. - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Improve the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit – supports
    1. Baldwin cosponsored the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2024 to “amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and make the credit fully refundable for certain taxpayers”
    2. The Democratic Platform says “That’s why we’ll keep pushing to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, which proved so effective at reducing poverty before Republicans let them expire.”
  2. Make the rich pay their fair share – supports
    1. The Democratic Platform says “A fair tax code is how we invest in the things that make our nation strong, like health care, education, a clean environment, and the national defense.”
    2. She joined colleagues to introduce the Carried Interest Fairness Act to “to eliminate a tax loophole that benefits wealthy money managers on Wall Street”
    3. She also joined colleagues to introduce No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act that “would end taxpayer subsidization of anti-union activities by preventing corporations from deducting their union-busting expenses from their taxes”

Unrig our tax system to make the rich pay and support families. - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Improve the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit – unclear
  2. Make the rich pay their fair share – opposes 
    1. The Republican Platform says they will “make permanent the provisions of the Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” which was shown to benefit the rich more than other taxpayers. 

Support full access to abortion care - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Create new federal laws that ensure your right and access to abortion do not depend on where you live or how much money you make – supports
    1. The Democratic Platform says “Democrats are committed to restoring the reproductive rights Trump ripped away. With a Democratic Congress, we will pass national legislation to make Roe the law of the land again.”
    2. Her campaign website says “Tammy is a staunch advocate for womens’ freedoms and will continue to fight until every Wisconsinite can make their own health care decisions without the government getting involved. She has introduced and supported legislation that would protect women’s right to an abortion nationwide, protect women’s right to travel across state lines to get reproductive health care, and safeguard access to contraception.”
    3. She helped write the Women’s Health Protection Act
  2. Enforce existing rights that ensure people can get emergency abortion care at hospitals – supports
    1. She tweeted in support of emergency abortion care in response to the SCOTUS decision
  3. Eliminate the Weldon and Hyde amendments – supports
    1. The Democratic Platform says “We will repeal the Hyde Amendment”
    2. Alongside her colleagues, she introduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act, which would use federal funds to help women who need to travel to states with abortion access.

Support full access to abortion care - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Create new federal laws that ensure your right and access to abortion do not depend on where you live or how much money you make – opposes
    1. In reference to abortion, the Republican Platform says “We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights.”
    2. During his first Senate run in 2012, he said Roe v. Wade should be overturned
    3. More recently, Hovde has said a ban beginning at 12-14 weeks is “reasonable”
  2. Enforce existing rights that ensure people can get emergency abortion care at hospitals – leans oppose
    1. Hovde has said a ban beginning at 12-14 weeks is “reasonable”
  3. Eliminate the Weldon and Hyde amendments. – unclear

Protect access to fertility care and birth control - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Support the Right to Contraception Act – supports
    1. Baldwin was an original cosponsor of the Right to Contraception Act
    2. The Democratic Platform says “Democrats are also working to expand access to birth control, which nine in 10 women have used” and “We will strengthen access to contraception so every woman who needs it is able to get and afford it.”
    3. Her campaign website says “Tammy is a staunch advocate for womens’ freedoms and will continue to fight until every Wisconsinite can make their own health care decisions without the government getting involved. She has introduced and supported legislation that would protect women’s right to an abortion nationwide, protect women’s right to travel across state lines to get reproductive health care, and safeguard access to contraception.”
  2. Create federal protections for fertility care
    1. Baldwin introduced the Right to IVF Act to “protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization.” 
    2. The Democratic Platform says “We will protect a woman’s right to access IVF.”

Protect access to fertility care and birth control - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Support the Right to Contraception Act – opposes
    1. He has made several statements condemning emergency contraception
  2. Create federal protections for fertility care – supports
    1. Hovde has voiced support for fertility care

Protect schools, teachers, and libraries from censorship and discrimination - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Oppose book bans. – supports
    1. The Democratic Platform says “President Biden has also taken action to support LGBTQI+ youth in foster care; and is fighting book bans that censor LGBTQI+ content.”
    2. Baldwin tweeted her opposition to book bans like the ones in Florida.
  2. Oppose curriculum bans and support an honest and inclusive education.
    1. Alongside her colleagues, Baldwin introduced The 1619 Act, which “would provide federal funding to support African American History educational programs through workshops and professional development activities for educators.”

Protect schools, teachers, and libraries from censorship and discrimination - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Oppose book bans. – opposes
    1. The Republican Platform says they will “CUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPROPRIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN”
    2. He spoke alongside a leader of Moms for Liberty, a group known for promoting book bans
  2. Oppose curriculum bans and support an honest and inclusive education. – opposes 
    1. The Republican Platform also says “Republicans will ensure children are taught fundamentals like Reading, History, Science, and Math, not Leftwing propaganda. We will defund schools that engage in inappropriate political indoctrination of our children using Federal Taxpayer Dollars.”

Create safe, inclusive, and supportive schools - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Invest in police-free K-12 schools – police make school more dangerous and less safe, particularly for students of color.- unclear 
  2. Protect students’ rights to free speech, organizing, and assembly free from police violence. – likely supports
    1. She continued to answer student questions after being interrupted by protestors.
  3. Incorporate social emotional learning, an honest history of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia, and learning materials and books from diverse authors and that highlight diverse stories, in public schools – supports
    1. The Democratic Platform says “We’ve helped districts nationwide train and hire 14,000 more counselors and social workers, so kids can heal from the disruptions of COVID, the fear of gun violence, and more. We increased investments in full-service community schools five-fold, providing health care, nutrition, job training, and other wraparound services for kids at school, investing in their futures and making families’ lives easier”
    2. Alongside her colleagues, Baldwin introduced The 1619 Act, which “would provide federal funding to support African American History educational programs through workshops and professional development activities for educators.”

Create safe, inclusive, and supportive schools - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Invest in police-free K-12 schools – police make school more dangerous and less safe, particularly for students of color. – unclear
  2. Protect students’ rights to free speech, organizing, and assembly free from police violence. – opposes
    1. The Republican Platform names protesters as terrorist sympathizers and says they will “DEPORT PRO-HAMAS RADICALS AND MAKE OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES SAFE AND PATRIOTIC AGAIN”
  3. Incorporate social emotional learning, an honest history of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia, and learning materials and books from diverse authors and that highlight diverse stories, in public schools – opposes
    1. The Republican Platform also says “Republicans will ensure children are taught fundamentals like Reading, History, Science, and Math, not Leftwing propaganda. We will defund schools that engage in inappropriate political indoctrination of our children using Federal Taxpayer Dollars.”

Support and include LGBTQI+ kids - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Protect gender affirming care for all – supports
    1. The Democratic Platform says “President Biden has delivered on his promise to ban discrimination in health care on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. He has also protected transgender Americans’ access to health care and coverage including gender-affirming care”
    2. In a letter with several colleagues responding to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule prohibiting discrimination in health care under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, she said “And the transgender community is facing a barrage of discriminatory attacks that deny patients access to gender-affirming care and create barriers to treatment,” the Senators stated. “In the face of such obstacles, it is as important as ever that the Administration work to ensure everyone has the right to get the care they need—and undo the harm caused to patients by the Trump Administration’s rule.”
  2. Clarify through explicit regulations that Title IX protections extend to inclusive protections in athletics. – supports
    1. In response to proposed state legislation, Baldwin tweeted in support of including transgender student athletes in sports.

Support and include LGBTQI+ kids - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Protect gender affirming care for all – opposes
    1. The Republican Platform says “We will keep men out of women’s sports, ban Taxpayer funding for sex change surgeries, and stop Taxpayer-funded Schools from promoting gender transition, reverse Biden’s radical rewrite of Title IX Education Regulations, and restore protections for women and girls.”
    2. He has previously said “We got to such an absurd level at the end of Obama’s presidency that the big issue was transsexual bathrooms, what?” he said. “You are talking less than .4% of the public, and you’re talking about forcing every municipality and school district to create a unisex bathroom.” 
  2. Clarify through explicit regulations that Title IX protections extend to inclusive protections in athletics. – opposes
    1. The Republican Platform says they will “KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS”
    2. During an event at the 2024 Republican National Convention, Hovde said “Men shouldn’t be playing and girls sports — period.”

Nominate and confirm federal judges with a strong record of gender justice, and hold them accountable to uniform ethical standards - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Pass the Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act to create stronger recusal standards and an enforceable code of conduct – supports
    1. Baldwin cosponsored legislation to hold SCOTUS Justices accountable to a code of ethics.
  2. Nominate and confirm judges with a strong record of supporting gender and racial justice issues and who affirmatively declare they will uphold equality, opportunity for all, individual liberty, and the freedom to make personal decisions about our bodies and relationships – supports
    1. She criticized Amy Coney Barrett during her confirmation hearing for using similar language that is used by anti-LGBTQI+ extremists

Nominate and confirm federal judges with a strong record of gender justice, and hold them accountable to uniform ethical standards - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Pass the Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act to create stronger recusal standards and an enforceable code of conduct – unclear
  2. Nominate and confirm judges with a strong record of supporting gender and racial justice issues and who affirmatively declare they will uphold equality, opportunity for all, individual liberty, and the freedom to make personal decisions about our bodies and relationships. – opposes
    1. Hovde has been formally endorsed by Donald Trump, who stacked the judiciary – including the Supreme Court – with anti-choice judges

Protect access to democracy for all - supports

Tammy Baldwin

  1. Protect and expand access to the ballot and restore the Voting Rights Act, including by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act – supports
    1. Her campaign website says “In a floor speech supporting the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Tammy said, ‘John Lewis showed us the best of the human spirit, as he worked with hope in his heart to change America and bring liberty and justice for all. It’s now up to all of us to carry on John’s spirit and continue his important work, including protecting the right to vote.’”
  2. Unrig our democracy by abolishing the filibuster – supports
    1. She has pledged “to change the Senate filibuster rules if Democrats retain control of the chamber”

Protect access to democracy for all - opposes

Eric Hovde

  1. Protect and expand access to the ballot and restore the Voting Rights Act, including by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act – opposes
    1. The Republican Platform says they would “SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SAME DAY VOTING, VOTER IDENTIFICATION, PAPER BALLOTS, AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP”
      1. It also says “We will implement measures to secure our Elections, including Voter ID, highly sophisticated paper ballots, proof of Citizenship, and same day Voting. We will not allow the Democrats to give Voting Rights to illegal Aliens”
      2. Hovde would not give a clear answer when asked if he would have certified the 2020 election.
      3. On the Guy Benson Show, a Fox Radio program, he suggested there was extensive voting fraud in nursing homes and/or that people in those nursing homes should not be able to vote
  2. Unrig our democracy by abolishing the filibuster – unclear