Hovde Campaigns in Onalaska - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Onalaska, WI (WXOW)-- Eric Hovde made a campaign stop at Empire Screen Printing in Onalaska.

Hovde is a Republican running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by retiring Democrat Herb Kohl.

Hovde is currently on a state-wide bus tour, he's calling the "Take Back Washington Tour." Hovde spoke to Empire workers about the need for economic reform, and repeal Obama's healthcare plan.

Hovde says he thinks his toughest challenger in the primary is former governor, Tommy Thompson. He says Thompson, like many in Washington, is a career politician.

"People are really starting to focus on this race. And as I said, I think there's two very distinct differences," Hovde said. "One, somebody who spent their life in the private sector, creating jobs. And another person who spent their life in the world of politics, since 1966, and then went on to be a corporate lobbyist. So yeah, I think there's a very stark difference between the two of us."

In addition to Tommy Thompson, the other Republicans in the race are former Congressman Mark Neumann and assembly speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. That primary is August 14. The winner will face Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the only Democrat in the race.