Republican Eric Hovde is facing a critical moment in Friday's first Wisconsin Senate debate amid signs he's closing in on Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin in one of the country's most competitive races for the upper chamber.

The rivals will go head-to-head as polling shows the Trump-backed Republican narrowing the gap, fueling GOP hopes for a Badger State pickup in the battle for the Senate majority.

Hovde, a Madison-area businessman and millionaire, ran for the Senate back in 2012 but lost in the GOP primary, the same year Baldwin ultimately won the seat. Democrats are shrugging off the idea that Hovde has enough momentum this time around — but, as he runs with Trump's backing and a big self-funding boost, voices in both parties acknowledge the race is in toss-up territory.

“It’s a dead heat,” said Wisconsin-based Republican strategist Bill McCoshen, pointing to the recent polls.

The Cook Political Report shifted the race away from Democrats earlier this month, making it one of just three toss-up Senate contests, after Cook’s Swing State Project surveys found Baldwin’s 7-point lead in August diminished to a 2-point lead this month. Polling averages from Decision Desk HQ and The Hill also show a shrinking gap: Baldwin’s now up by 2.8 points, down from 3.5 points just last week and 7 points back in August.

Hovde’s campaign confirmed to The Hill last week that they’ve seen a 1- or 2-point split in recent internal polls, and Baldwin told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that it’s “very close” in her own internals. A polling memo from the Republican National Senatorial Committee (NRSC), obtained by The Hillas reported by Politico this week, found Hovde narrowly leading Baldwin in a head-to-head for the first time in their internals, up by 1 point. With other candidates on the ballot, Hovde and Baldwin were at an exact tie.

"Hovde has a clear opportunity to continue his growth and consolidate support while driving........

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