Campaign

Baldwin defeats Vukmir in Wisconsin Senate race

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) trounced Republican Leah Vukmir in Wisconsin’s Senate race on Tuesday, clearing her way to a second-term in the chamber.

Baldwin’s win is welcome news for Democrats, who have touted their strength in Midwestern states that President Trump won in 2016, including Wisconsin. 

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Throughout her general election campaign, Baldwin appeared well positioned to win another term in the Senate. She consistently led in public polls and outraised Vukmir, a state senator, by a wide margin. 

But Vukmir also received help from the Republican Party’s leader: President Trump himself. The president boosted Vukmir and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker during a rally late last month. 

Still, Trump’s approval rating in Wisconsin remains underwater. A Marquette Law School poll of Wisconsin voters released last month put the president’s approval at 47 percent in the state, compared to 50 percent who said they disapprove of the job he’s doing in office.

The Cook Political Report put the Wisconsin Senate race in the “Likely” Democratic column.