“Will Senator McCaskill ignore her liberal donors and support Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State, or will she stick with Chuck Schumer and continue to obstruct the President?” Hawley campaign spokesperson Kelli Ford said. “It is deeply troubling how focused Senator McCaskill is on doing what’s politically convenient, instead of doing what’s right.”

McCaskill said later Thursday that it was Defense Secretary James Mattis who actually sold her on Pompeo. “While I have grave reservations about Mr. Pompeo’s rhetoric when he was a Congressman, I supported his nomination based on his work leading and defending the intelligence community and the strong recommendation of Secretary Mattis. Secretary Mattis has assured me that Mr. Pompeo has been willing to speak truth to power in critical situations involving the President,” she said in a statement. “It was that information that ultimately persuaded me.”

Baldwin had announced her opposition in a statement released on Twitter following a meeting with President Donald Trump’s secretary of State nominee. She expressed a belief he might not have the proper disposition for the job.

“I am concerned that he is inclined to choose military force as a first option over diplomatic solutions to the many challenges we face around the world,” said Baldwin.

That decision drew quick rebukes from both of the key Republican campaigns seeking the chance to run against Baldwin in November, those of state Sen. Leah Vukmir and Wisconsin businessman Kevin Nicholson, according to the Journal Sentinel.