Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) is projected to secure a third term in the Senate, according to Decision Desk HQ, defeating Republican Eric Hovde and handing Democrats a key hold in a battleground state.

The “toss up” race was considered a must-win for Democrats. It was perhaps the GOP’s best shot at picking up a Democratic-held Senate seat outside of West Virginia, Montana and Ohio, and Baldwin’s victory could help limit Republicans’ ability to extend their Senate majority.

The contest had narrowed considerably in the final weeks and polls showed Hovde nipping at Baldwin’s heels. Democratic operatives said that GOP-leaning men came home to the party as the race drew to a close.

However, it was not enough to topple Baldwin in what was her toughest reelection fight since she won the seat in 2012, having won by a wide margin six years ago in a midterm cycle.

Democrats were confident that Baldwin would survive, arguing that she could win even if former President Trump carried the........

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