A Wisconsin man facing charges of making a bomb threat against a Republican Senate candidate's office was revealed to be a financial backer of the candidate's Democratic opponent. The alleged incident highlights the sometimes volatile political climate in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
Joseph Quade, a 72-year-old Wisconsin man, has been charged with making a terrorist threat after allegedly sending an email warning that the campaign office of Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde "might blow up." The message, sent on April 4, prompted an evacuation of the office.
According to a report by the Wisconsin State Journal, the message was sent in a voice memo attached to an email. Quade reportedly told police that he had no recollection of sending the threat, but admitted to becoming politically charged while drinking, leading investigators to believe he may have been responsible.
A review of Federal Elections Commission data by Fox News Digital revealed that Quade had donated to the campaign of Hovde's Democratic opponent, incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin. He reportedly made two donations of $25 and one of $50, with the most recent being on December 29.
When contacted for comment, a Baldwin campaign spokesperson stated that violence has no place in politics and anyone threatening it has no place in their campaign. They announced that they would donate Quade's contributions to charity.
Wisconsin is a key battleground state in the upcoming 2024 elections, and will likely play a significant role in determining the balance of power in Washington. Baldwin is seeking her third term, having won her previous re-election bid by a slim margin of four percentage points.
Hovde, a Wisconsin businessman, is aiming to unseat Baldwin. Recent polling suggests Baldwin holds a similar lead in the race against Hovde.
If convicted, Quade faces a maximum sentence of 3.5 years in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court again on May 2.
The bomb threat and Quade's connection to Baldwin's campaign have drawn attention to the sometimes volatile nature of political discourse, particularly with the upcoming elections. It underscores the importance of reducing tensions and maintaining respectful and non-violent dialogue.
