Wisconsin
Who's running
David Crowley grew up in Milwaukee. His family lost their home when he was 10 and was evicted twice more before he finished high school. He worked as a legislative aide, then won a state Assembly seat in 2016. In 2020 he became Milwaukee County Executive, the first Black person and the youngest ever in that job. He dropped out of the governor's race in July 2026, then jumped back in ten days later. He won the August 11 primary by less than half a point over Francesca Hong.
- Cap family child care costs at 7 percent of income.
- Universal early childhood education.
- More affordable housing.
- Nonpartisan redistricting.
Tom Tiffany grew up on a dairy farm. He ran a cruise boat business and worked as a dam tender in northern Wisconsin. He served in the state Assembly and state Senate, then won a U.S. House seat in 2020. He announced for governor in September 2025. Trump endorsed him in January 2026 and his main rival dropped out the next day. He won the August primary with 95 percent.
- A 10 percent income tax cut for working families and return the state surplus.
- End state subsidies for data centers.
- Keep Wisconsin's current law allowing abortion through 20 weeks.
- Split up the Department of Natural Resources.
The tea ☕
- Crowley's comeback: he suspended his campaign on July 8 and endorsed Sara Rodriguez. She quit July 17 over financial reporting problems, and he got back in July 18. Polls had Francesca Hong up nearly 20 points a week before the primary. He won by 0.48 points.
- Crowley says three billionaires are trying to buy the office. Most of Tiffany's money came through a state party funded largely by the Uihleins and Diane Hendricks, and more than $50 million of $82.5 million in ad reservations back Tiffany.
- The only debate was October 21. Tiffany said he would keep the 20-week abortion law. Crowley accused him of working for Trump and the billionaires funding him.
- Tiffany has kept his distance from Trump and broke with him on data centers, but he objected to certifying Pennsylvania's and Arizona's electoral votes on January 6, 2021.
- Marquette's final poll found Crowley's unfavorable rating jumped from 29 percent to 44 percent since August, mostly among Republicans. Tiffany hammers his county budget deficit and the 2024 county sales tax increase.
Sources
- https://www.multistate.us/elections/governor-race/wisconsin-2026
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crowley_(Wisconsin_politician)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Tiffany
- https://apps.npr.org/primary-election-results-2026/governors.html