MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin pledged during her reelection speech Thursday to work with President-elect Donald Trump wherever possible, but she also vowed to fight him to protect the nation’s health care law and abortion rights.
Baldwin narrowly won re-election to a third term over Republican businessman Eric Hovde, who was backed by Trump. Hovde has yet to concede in a race where the margin is so small he could ask for a recount.
“We deserve a politics with less vitriol, less division, less hatred and fewer lies. Actually, they are not lies,” Baldwin told a room of supporters at a steamfitters union training center.
Baldwin defeated Hovde by just under 29,000 votes, a margin of 0.9%, based on unofficial results. State law allows race losers within 1 percentage point of the winner to request a recount, but Hovde has not yet said whether he will do so.
Hovde’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Hovde would have to pay for the recount and he would have to request it within three days after the last province completes its ballot. These are due by November 19, but provinces can complete them earlier.
Baldwin’s victory was a bright spot for Democrats in an otherwise grim election in which Trump won Wisconsin on his way back to the White House. Baldwin outperformed Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin, winning by just under 1 point, which was around Trump’s margin of victory over Harris in the state.
“I recognize that the people of Wisconsin chose Donald Trump and I respect their choice,” Baldwin said. “You know I will always fight for Wisconsin, and that means working with President Trump to do that and standing up to him when he doesn’t. do not have our best interests at heart.”
In a nod to Wisconsin’s deeply divided politics, Baldwin ran an ad during the campaign referencing her Buy-American bill that Trump signed into law.
Baldwin, who has never lost an election, attributed her third Senate victory to her relentless travels across the state and reaching voters of all types. This year, she received the endorsement of the conservative Wisconsin Farm Bureau, marking the first time in more than two decades that the group has endorsed a Democrat in a statewide race.
“We did everything, everywhere, all at once,” Baldwin said as she explained her win. “I traveled to red, blue, purple, rural, suburban and urban parts of our state. I listened to people. I really listened to people and I deliver for them. And in turn, Wisconsinites showed up for me. And I am so grateful.”
Baldwin left her short event without asking any questions.
Baldwin’s victory came despite Democrats’ national losses, allowing Republicans to take control of the Senate.
