Fact check: Did Eric Hovde brag about “being in the 1%”? His campaign doesn’t deny it

May Be Interested In:Donald Trump inches closer to Kamala Harris in Minnesota, new poll shows


Twelve years might sound like a long time ago, but it isn’t enough for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

The DSCC put out an attack ad against Wisconsin Republican senatorial candidate Eric Hovde that says Hovde “brags about being in the 1%.”

In campaigning, labeling an opponent as part of “the 1%” is akin to a political slur, casting them as out of touch with the rest of the 99% and those whom the economy and personal finances are top of mind.

Hovde, a millionaire banker and real estate mogul, is running against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat.

Did Hovde brag about being part of the 1%?

Quote comes from first senate campaign

When we asked the DSCC for back up, it pointed us to an interview from 12 years ago.

In 2012, Hovde dipped into political waters in Wisconsin running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. He would eventually lose the primary to former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who then lost to Baldwin.

On July 12, 2012, Hovde did an interview with conservative radio host Vicki McKenna on WISN-AM (1130) and talked about his family background.

“I love our country. It’s afforded my great-grandparents and grandpa, who immigrated here from Norway who came with nothing, I mean the shirt on their back and a little satchel, and to make a life for themselves,” Hovde said.

So far it’s a pretty typical American story of generations coming to the country with limited resources.

“And then for my father to prosper and then for me to have an opportunity, that’s what America has been about,” Hovde said.

Then there is a shift in tone.

“And instead (Democrats) have totally distorted our economic system. I’m now supposed to feel guilty because I work hard and succeeded in life and have done good and employed people and helped support their families and given money away to people who are struggling,” Hovde said. “But now I’m bad because I’m the 1%? I mean, what’s happened?”

So he did label himself as part of the 1%.

But, it’s important to note that the quote was from more than a decade ago, while the ad positions it as if Hovde is continually making such claims – or at least has made them during this campaign.

In July, Hovde had listed assets worth between $195.4 million and $564.5 million according to a financial disclosure form.

In comparison, Baldwin reported in May having assets worth between $601,003 and nearly $1.3 million, according to financial disclosure records.

We reached out to the Hovde campaign for a response to the ad but they did not address the point. Instead campaign spokesman Zach Bannon avoided the topic and asked a rhetorical question pointing to Baldwin’s donors, her partner and her $1.3 million condo in Washington, D.C.

But when given the chance to respond, the Hovde campaign did not deny or add other context to the claim that he bragged about being part of the 1%.

Our ruling

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee claimed Hovde “brags about being in the 1%” in an ad based on a quote from 12 years ago.

The Hovde campaign doesn’t deny the claim or add additional context, but instead deflects onto his opponent. However the quote is 12 years old and the ad makes it seem like Hovde said it more recently.

We rate this claim as Mostly True.

Sources

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, “Respect,” Sept. 20, 2024

Eric Hovde interview, July 12, 2012

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bice: Tammy Baldwin bought pricey new D.C. pad with partner in 2021, June 16, 2023

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bice: Eric Hovde would be one of the richest U.S. senators if he wins this fall, July 15, 2024

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fact check: Did Eric Hovde brag about “being in the 1%”?

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Tornadoes touch down in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton
Tornadoes touch down in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton
dpa international
Germany’s Scholz: Al-Sinwar responsible for the worst crimes
Canada passes bill to cover birth control and diabetes drugs
Canada passes bill to cover birth control and diabetes drugs
dpa international
Israel to hit Hezbollah ‘without mercy,’ including in Beirut, PM says
Albania says only Italy is allowed to operate migrant asylum centers in the country
Albania says only Italy is allowed to operate migrant asylum centers in the country
Man attempting to rape 13-year-old girl caught in act on Brooklyn rooftop: NYPD
In Mexico, the mayor of a state capital has been killed less than 1 week after he took office

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Voices of the People: The Untold Stories | © 2024 | Daily News