MADISON, Wis. — On Oct 14th, the Badger Herald and WORT FM reported on UW–Madison college students calling out Eric Hovde for insulting young people and college students and demolishing the Silver Dollar Tavern, what once was one of the oldest family-owned bars in Madison.

“He didn’t care about the history of the bar, the patrons, the owners and the Wisconsinites who loved it,” UW–Madison college student Jeff Messer said. “He just wanted to make a quick buck off of the Silver Dollar’s property, and that comes as no surprise that Eric Hovde is out of touch with Wisconsinites.” 

“Tammy Baldwin is the counter to everything that is Eric Hovde,” UW–Madison college student Grace Florence said. “Eric Hovde is an extremist… Tammy is working for college students and everything contrary to everything Eric has ever said.”

Read key points below: 

The Badger Herald: UW student Democrats defend young people against Eric Hovde’s controversial comments

• The Democratic Party of Wisconsin held a press conference Oct. 11, at the former location of the Silver Dollar Tavern to speak on comments made by U.S. senate candidate Eric Hovde, R-Wis.
  
  
• Sept. 20, 2023, Hovde was recorded making negative comments about the skills and work ethic of young people while attending a Republican Women of Dane County luncheon, according to The Badger Herald. In the recording posted by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Hovde said many of the college students he hires can’t “write properly” or “understand a good work ethic.” 
  
  
• UW-Madison College Democrats Activities Chair Maddie Lunt responded to Hovde’s comments and advocated for the reelection of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.
  
  
• “As a student, I work hard every day, to study for my tests, work at my job and prepare for my future career,” Lunt said. “But, Eric Hovde thinks I’m lazy… he doesn’t get Wisconsinites. He doesn’t respect Wisconsinites. He shouldn’t get a chance to put them down.” 
  
  
• College Democrats Community Outreach Chair Jeff Messer spoke on why the former location of the Silver Dollar Tavern was chosen for the press conference. As Madison’s oldest post-prohibition tavern, it was a prominent historical establishment, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.
  
  
• “He didn’t care about the history of the bar, the patrons, the owners and the Wisconsinites who loved it,” Messer said. “He just wanted to make a quick buck off of the Silver Dollar’s property, and that comes as no surprise that Eric Hovde is out of touch with Wisconsinites.” 
  
  
• While advocating for Baldwin, College Democrats Graphic Design Director Grace Florence denounced Hovde’s positions. With a 65-year-old working father, Florence said she disagrees with Hovde’s stance on raising the retirement age. Additionally, Florence expressed concern over her freedom to use contraceptives if Hovde was elected. 
  
  
• Florence also said there is a stark distinction between Hovde and Baldwin.
  
  
• “Tammy Baldwin is the counter to everything that is Eric Hovde,” Lunt said. “Eric Hovde is an extremist… Tammy is working for college students and everything contrary to everything Eric has ever said.

WORT: UW-Madison Students Take Aim At Eric Hovde, Hovde’s Development Company

• In a press conference sponsored by the state Democratic Party on Friday, a handful of students at UW-Madison took aim at Republican developer Eric Hovde. He’s running to unseat incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin on November 5th. 
  
  
• They took issue with Hovde’s record of statements about young adults – like a 2017 statement that students and activism on college campuses are stupid, or a 2021 statement that young people don’t have the same work ethic as Baby Boomers. 
  
  
• They also took aim at Hovde’s development company, Hovde Properties of Madison. Namely, his company’s demolition of the Silver Dollar Tavern. The bar, just off the Capitol Square next to the Historical Society, was one of the oldest family-owned bars in the state until being demolished this year. 
  
  
• “Right now, we are standing outside where the Silver Dollar once stood,” Jeff, a UW-Madison student, said Friday. “That is, before Eric Hovde knocked it down. That’s right, you heard that: Eric Hovde, the multimillionaire California bank owner is the one responsible for demolishing our beloved Silver Dollar.”
  
  
• Jeff added Friday that Hovde’s decision to demolish the downtown watering hole shows that he doesn’t understand Wisconsin culture.
  
  
• “Hovde even criticized alcohol sales, saying that alcohol never should have been commercialized in the first place. Criticizing alcohol in Wisconsin? We are known for our Old Fashioneds and our Spotted Cow. Our state is home to many iconic breweries that prop up the local economy as well. Eric Hovde obviously doesn’t understand or respect the industry that is so important to Wisconsin’s culture and economy. Maybe an alcohol ban would fly in California, but definitely not in Wisconsin,” said Jeff. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not letting Eric Hovde take away my beer.”
  
  
• The Silver Dollar Tavern served its first drink on West Mifflin Street over 90 years ago, shortly after the end of Prohibition. It celebrated its last last call in February. WORT was there on its last night and asked some patrons what they’d miss about the tavern.
  
  
• Hovde purchased the Silver Dollar last winter for an undisclosed amount, razing the entire strip this summer. 

WORT audio: “Silver Dollar Tavern celebrated its last last call in February. WORT was there and asked some patrons what they’d miss about the tavern.”

• “It’s just a fun place where I met a lot of great people, getting out here with the locals is always a good time.”
  
  
• “It’s just been a really good community bonding experience for me.”
  
  
• “Three words: atmosphere, social, and fun.” 
  
  
• “I love to run, I love to drink, and I’m devastated that this bar is closing.”