‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ cast trolls Eric Hovde over Wisconsin Senate ‘work adventure’
Cast members of the “Real Housewives of Orange County” filmed a cameo video trolling Republican businessman Eric Hovde after he launched a Senate bid in Wisconsin this week against Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Hovde’s California ties have already become a source of attack by Democrats. A website created by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin trolling Hovde released “facts about California bank owner” Hovde. It said he lives in a $7 million mansion with ocean views in Laguna Beach, Calif., and questioned if he only moves back to Wisconsin “when he wants to run for office.”
The video, posted online by the Wisconsin Democrats and seemingly paid for the group, wishes Hovde a “Happy National California Day.” Members of the 17-season reality TV show wished their “neighbor” well on his new “work adventure.”
“If you’re feeling a little homesick today, don’t worry — we have a special message from a few of your neighbors in Orange County,” the account posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “California misses you already, but they know you’ll be back very soon. Home sweet home!”
Hovde, a Madison-area businessman who also owns a California bank, officially announced his campaign on Tuesday to challenge Baldwin and give the GOP one of the final pieces in its plan for the 2024 election.
In a video, Hovde said it feels like America is “slipping away” and said he believes that “we need to come together and find commonsense solutions to restore America.”
Hovde’s name was thrown around for months as the top choice of the National Republican Senatorial Committee because Wisconsin, a key swing state, was the last remaining contest without a Senate GOP candidate.
“I know that you are from Orange County, so you’re my neighbor,” cast member Gina Kirschenheiter said in the video on Cameo, an app in which users can pay for video requests.
“And you’re leaving for a work adventure for a year,” Vicki Gunvalson continued.
Alexis Bellino said, “All of your friends in O.C. are wishing you so well. I know you have a new endeavor happening in Wisconsin.
Kirschenheiter said Wisconsin is “like a really big change” from Orange County. Gunvalson said she is from the Midwest and said since Hovde is leaving now, “it’s going to get really cold there.”
Hovde is expected to spend approximately $20 million of his own money on the Senate bid against Baldwin. Republican operatives say his joining the race is a smart move for the GOP in a presidential election year, despite Baldwin’s history of winning the seat.
Hovde ran for a Senate seat in 2012 but lost in the GOP primary to former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
