The only Senate debate between Senator Tammy Baldwin and Republican candidate Eric Hovde in Wisconsin took an unexpected turn when Hovde called out Baldwin for not disclosing her partner’s finances. He accused her of having a conflict of interest because her partner, Maria Brisbane, works as a private wealth adviser on Wall Street and invests in Big Tech and Big Pharma. However, due to confidentiality rules at Morgan Stanley and the fact that Baldwin and Brisbane are not married, Brisbane’s clients and investments remain unknown.
Brisbane’s previous roles involved working with biotechnology companies and funds, and she managed a biotechnology mutual fund in the past. Despite Hovde’s repeated calls for transparency, Baldwin refused to disclose her partner’s financial information, stating that he should stay out of her personal life.
During the debate, Hovde highlighted Baldwin’s committee roles on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, suggesting they may conflict with Brisbane’s work for wealthy clients. Baldwin defended her partner and criticized Hovde for focusing on her personal life rather than her professional qualifications.
The race for the Wisconsin Senate seat between Baldwin and Hovde is heating up, with just a few weeks left until the election. The Cook Political Report considers it a “toss-up,” adding to the tension surrounding the candidates’ debate performance. Senate Republican conference Chairman John Barrasso, who supports Hovde, claimed that Baldwin appeared “rattled” and would have preferred to be in Manhattan with Maria rather than debating in Madison, Wisconsin.
As the campaign intensifies, both candidates will need to address the concerns raised during the debate and present their platforms to the voters. The outcome of the Wisconsin Senate race is highly anticipated and could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress. Stay tuned for more updates as the election approaches.