Tammy Baldwin Debuts Senate Campaign Ad

Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who could become the first openly gay person elected to the U.S. Senate, debuted her first campaign ad Thursday with a focus on making the economy fairer for American workers.

Talking Points Memo reports on the ad, which makes no mention of the historic nature of her bid. Instead, Baldwin puts the focus on improving conditions for workers competing in the global economy.

“In Wisconsin, we lead the entire nation in paper industry jobs,” says Baldwin in the ad. “But China, they lead the world in cheating. And it’s costing us jobs in Wisconsin. So I brought Democrats and Republicans together to put sanctions on China now and punish them for making billions breaking trade rules.

“When the rules are fair, Wisconsin workers come out ahead,” she concludes in the ad, which is airing statewide, according to TPM.

Baldwin, a Democrat, is running for the open seat being vacated by retiring U.S. senator Herb Kohl. A poll released yesterday from Marquette Law School found that former governor Tommy Thompson, the Republican front-runner, led Baldwin among likely voters by 49% to 41%. However, a significant 25% of Republican voters said they were undecided on who they would support in the August 14 primary. Baldwin ties or leads the three other Republican prospects.

Watch the new ad.