Wisconsin's GOP Senate candidate Hovde defends not knowing much about the farm bill in a dairy state

abcnews.go.com:

Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde has repeatedly defended his self-professed lack of knowledge about the U.S. farm bill in the campaign’s closing days, after first saying in a debate that he is “not an expert” on the legislation that is ...

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde has repeatedly defended his self-professed lack of knowledge about the U.S. farm bill in the campaign's closing days, after first saying in a debate that he is “not an expert” on the legislation that is vital to farmers in the state known as America's Dairyland.

Hovde's comments over the past week came after the incumbent, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, secured the endorsement of the usually Republican-aligned Wisconsin Farm Bureau, making her the first Democratic candidate for a statewide office to receive it in more than 20 years.

Both Hovde, who is backed by former President Donald Trump, and Baldwin say the race is razor thin, with possible majority control of the Senate on the line. Democrats are defending 23 seats, while Republicans have just 11 up for grabs this election.

Hovde was asked during the race's only debate with Baldwin on Oct. 18 about the farm bill and he responded, “I'm not an expert on the farm bill because I'm not in the U.S. Senate.” Baldwin has used those comments in digital and radio ads attacking Hovde, touting her Farm Bureau endorsement and saying Hovde “doesn't give a damn about farmers.”

In the week since the debate, Hovde hasn't backed down from his comment.

«Why in God’s green Earth would I know all the details in a farm bill when I’m not serving in this Senate right now?” he told reporters after he voted Tuesday.

Hovde called criticism of his debate answer “absurd.”

“I answered,”