Republican Eric Hovde Won’t Enter Race For US Senate

Madison businessman Eric Hovde has decided against entering the Republican U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin.

Hovde made his announcement in an interview that aired Sunday on “Upfront with Mike Gousha.”

Hovde had been weighing a Senate run for months, but says he and his wife decided “it’s just not the right time for us.”

Hovde entered politics in 2012 and finished second behind former Gov. Tommy Thompson in the GOP primary race for U.S. Senate.

Hovde’s decision leaves state Sen. Leah Vukmir and Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson vying for the chance to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Hovde says he has not decided on an endorsement in the race.

Wisconsin Democratic Party spokesman Brad Bainum said Hovde’s decision is “a real testament to how nasty” the GOP primary has become.