By james art Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde downplayed the environmental impact of climate change on Wisconsin and said abortion policy should be decided through a statewide referendum at an event hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison College Republicans on Tuesday.
The College Republicans of UW-Madison and the American Conservation Coalition, a conservative environmental grouphosted the event to drum up support for Hovde’s campaign in the final week before the Nov. 5 election.
Hovde pointed to climate change as the natural “warming and cooling” of the planet, citing the Wisconsin lakes and their connection to the Ice Age.
“Our state was once covered in glaciers — and by the way, 14,000 years ago there were glaciers as tall as the Capitol dome — and then guess what, the glaciers disappeared. And then guess what, the glaciers came back. And guess what, the glaciers are gone. In Earth’s history, Earth has always warmed and cooled,” Hovde said.
Hovde also clarified his position that it “doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about the environment,” calling himself an “environmentalist.”
“I used to call myself an environmentalist, but I got so embarrassed by the environmental movement and all the stupid things they pushed that weren’t environmentally friendly that I don’t call myself that anymore. I call myself an environmentalist,” Hovde said.
Hovde also downplayed the seriousness of climate change and Democrats’ concerns about environmental issues.
“Look, do I think humanity is changing and affecting the environment? Absolutely. Do I think these are the profound, catastrophic warnings that Al Gore said, “the seas will have already risen and the planet will melt,” I think by now, for the AOC, “The Earth will end in 2026?” No, of course not,” Hovde said.
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, a student told Hovde that she “broke down and cried” when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022 and asked him to explain his position.
Hovde said the issue should be decided in a referendum and believes in exceptions for rape, incest and maternal health. Hovde also said that women “should have the right to make a decision early in their pregnancy.”
“Where I fundamentally disagree is that when a baby can be born healthy and alive, then it is reckless to end that child’s life.” But again, it’s not about the politicians in D.C.,” Hovde said.
Current US Senator Tammy Baldwin has repeatedly criticized Hovde for comments you made during his 2012 Senate bid, where he said he supported overturning Roe v. Wade because abortion remained a controversial issue in these elections.
Enjoying what you read? Get content from The Daily Cardinal delivered to your inbox
In Wisconsin, abortion rights are a critical question for voters in recent years. In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending a constitutionally protected right to access abortion. The decision reinstated an 1849 Wisconsin law, prohibition all abortions in the state without exception for rape or incest.
Abortion services later resumed in the state in September 2023 after a Dane County Circuit Court judge ruled that the 1849 law applied only to killing the fetus and not to consensual abortions.
Hovde also defended that of former President Donald Trump recent Rally in Madison Square Garden, rebuttal claims the event resembled a “Nazi rally”.
“I was watching a little bit of the events at Madison Square Garden and I saw a huge amount of Jews there waving the Israeli flag, people of all different races, all different colors, talking, singing, everything, and this is a Nazi rally? Are you kidding me?” Hovde said.
Hovde did not address the source of the controversy – a series of vulgar and racist remarks made by rally speakers such as comedian Tony Hinchcliffe a call Puerto Rico is a “floating island of trash.” Instead, Hovde said it was important to “lower the temperature in the country.”
Joining Hovde for brief remarks, South Dakota Sen. John Thune called Hovde’s race “a make-or-break moment for the country.”
“The road to the Senate majority — the Republican majority in the United States Senate — goes through Wisconsin and Eric Hovde. I hope that you will do everything in your power to get out in the last week of this campaign to make sure that you get the voters to him,” Thune said.
Baldwin and Hovde will face off for the U.S. Senate seat on Nov. 5. Voters can find their polling place by visiting MyVote Wisconsin website.
The Daily Cardinal has covered the University and the Madison community since 1892. Please consider a donation today.
Nick Bumgardner is a senior staff writer at The Daily Cardinal covering state news and politics. You can follow him on Twitter at @nickbum_.