Lawsuit Brings Attention to Eric Hovde’s Remarks Regarding Older Voters

Eric Hovde, the Republican banking executive challenging Senator Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, is facing a growing problem with older voters due to a recent lawsuit involving elder abuse, negligence, and wrongful death at a senior living facility partly owned by the bank he leads, Sunwest. The lawsuit named Sunwest as a co-defendant, alleging that the facility failed to provide adequate care, leading to the death of a resident.

Hovde’s campaign dismissed the lawsuit as meritless, but his comments boasting about his expertise in the nursing home industry have drawn criticism. He suggested that residents of nursing homes have a short life expectancy and implied that they are not in a condition to vote, sparking outrage from Democrats and former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The lawsuit, set to go to trial in 2025, has put a spotlight on Hovde’s business dealings and raised concerns about his understanding of issues affecting older voters. Despite attempts to clarify his remarks, Hovde’s comments have been seen as insensitive and disrespectful to the elderly population.

The controversy comes at a crucial time as Republicans aim to gain control of the Senate, with Hovde being one of the affluent candidates running in key states. The outcome of the election could hinge on the support of older voters, making Hovde’s missteps with this demographic a significant liability for his campaign.