Republican Banking Executive Eric Hovde Faces Challenges with Older Voters in Wisconsin
The Republican banking executive, Eric Hovde, who is challenging Senator Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, is facing a potential issue with older voters due to a recent lawsuit involving a senior living facility partly owned by the bank he leads, Sunwest. The lawsuit accuses the facility of elder abuse, negligence, and wrongful death.
Mr. Hovde’s campaign has dismissed the lawsuit as meritless, but his recent comments boasting about his expertise in the nursing home industry have drawn criticism. He suggested that residents of nursing homes have a short life expectancy and implied that they are not in a condition to vote, sparking outrage from Democrats and former Milwaukee Bucks star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
These controversies come at a crucial time as Republicans aim to gain control of the Senate, with Mr. Hovde being one of four affluent Republicans running to unseat Democratic incumbents in key states. However, his stumbles highlight the challenges that can arise when wealthy candidates with business backgrounds enter the political arena.
The wrongful death lawsuit against Sunwest Bank, which seized the assisted living facility in California after a foreclosure, has put a spotlight on Mr. Hovde’s connections to the nursing home industry. The trial is set to begin after the 2024 election, but the controversy has already made an impact on voters in Wisconsin.
Mr. Hovde’s comments on voter fraud and nursing home residents’ ability to vote have further fueled the controversy, with critics accusing him of trying to disenfranchise elderly voters. Despite attempts to clarify his remarks, the backlash continues, with the Wisconsin Democratic Party organizing a protest against him in Milwaukee.
As the campaign heats up, Mr. Hovde’s handling of the situation will be closely watched, especially as older voters make up a significant voting bloc in Wisconsin. The outcome of this controversy could have a significant impact on the Senate race and the broader political landscape in the state.