MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's hotly contested race for U.S. Senate between Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican Eric Hovde, who was backed by President-elect Donald Trump, appeared to be close enough early Wednesday for a recount to be requested.
Baldwin, a two-term incumbent, declared victory early Wednesday over Hovde, a multimillionaire businessman who poured millions of his own money into race.
The Associated Press has not called the race.
Baldwin declared victory after the tally of absentee ballots from Milwaukee was reported around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Baldwin had a lead of 0.9% based on the unofficial results, just within the 1% margin that would allow for Hovde to request a recount if he pays for it.
"The people of Wisconsin have chosen someone who always puts Wisconsin first, someone who shows up, listens, and works with everyone to get the job done," Baldwin said in a statement. "And they rejected the billionaires and the special interests who want to come to our state, spread hate and division, and buy their way into power."
In his own statement Wednesday, Hovde didn't concede or say whether he would request a recount.
