MADISON, Wis. — Third time’s the charm, unless it’s Eric Hovde talking about the Farm Bill… Once again, Hovde was in disbelief that anyone would expect him to understand the Farm Bill. On Oct 22nd, when asked about the legislation, Hovde said “why in God’s green Earth would I know all the details in a Farm Bill?” 

This comes after Hovde had what the press called “the worst moment” of the debate, where he admitted he has no idea what goes into the Farm Bill. He then doubled down on these claims in a rant to Vicki McKenna, telling her “I’m supposed to have studied [the Farm Bill]?”

Read more from WisPolitics below:

In response to Dem criticism of his response to a question about the farm bill during last week’s U.S. Senate debate, Hovde today questioned “why in God’s green Earth” he would need to know details of the legislation.

The Madison businessman spoke to reporters after casting his vote for himself and former President Donald Trump at Shorewood Village Hall in Madison. Dems have knocked Hovde for saying he’s “not an expert on the farm bill” when asked about the comprehensive agricultural legislation during the debate.

“I think it’s absurd — I answered, I said the issue with the agricultural bill is only about 20% of it’s for farmers,” Hovde said. “I think farm bills need to get back to being for farmers, not big special corporate interests. And 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?”

Hovde added he would “love” to have his opponent, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, address detailed questions on the farm bill.

“I don’t think she knows them,” Hovde said. “That’s … one of the problems with our legislative process. We get these thousand-page bills, senators and congresspeople have no capacity to even read them, they’re filled with special interests and pork all over the place.”

State Dem Party spokesperson Arik Wolk blasted Hovde’s comments today in a written statement.

“The farmers in America’s Dairyland who work God’s green earth are exactly the reason that California banker Eric Hovde should care about the farm bill,” Wolk said. “Wisconsinites will be better off when Eric Hovde goes back to his $7 million Laguna Beach mansion.”

The Baldwin campaign is running a digital ad campaign knocking Hovde’s comments from the debate. The ad notes Hovde says he isn’t an expert on the farm bill.