Crowley and Tiffany clash on economy, Trump and 2020 in only Wisconsin governor debate
In short
Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany held their only debate in Wisconsin's race for governor on Wednesday night. They argued over prices and taxes, President Donald Trump, abortion and the 2020 election. NBC News described the race to succeed retiring Gov. Tony Evers as close.
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Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany debated on Wednesday night in what NBC News, The New York Times and The Hill all described as their only debate in Wisconsin's race for governor. NBC News said they sniped at each other on affordability, President Donald Trump, abortion and the 2020 election. The New York Times said the topics also included taxes, data centers and legalizing marijuana, and that the debate took place at Marquette University Law School. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Crowley is the Milwaukee County executive and Tiffany is a member of Congress representing a northern Wisconsin district. They are in a close race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, NBC News said, in the first open governor's race in the state since 2010. The Hill said the debate was hosted by WISN 12. [ 1 , 3 ]
NBC News said the hourlong debate focused most on economic issues, with each candidate taking aim at the other over whose policies would best bring down prices. Tiffany vowed to undo various tax increases and return surplus dollars to residents. Crowley advocated for a "fair tax system" that would fund education, infrastructure and transportation. [ 1 ]
Crowley frequently linked Tiffany to Trump and his policies, including the "big, beautiful bill", tariffs and the war with Iran, which he said have raised prices in the state and nationally. He accused Tiffany of "doing the bidding" of "the billionaire class", pointing to donations Tiffany has received from Republican megadonors. Tiffany said that while his opponent was "consistently focused on being against Donald Trump, I'm for Wisconsin". [ 1 ]
The Hill said the candidates also tangled over the 2020 election results and the Democratic Socialists of America. Tiffany was pressed on why he voted against certifying the 2020 election and, after first trying to shift focus to Crowley, pointed to "Zuckerbucks". "We should not allow private money to go into what is a public process, our elections," he said. The Hill explained that the term refers to grants the Center for Tech and Civic Life issued to localities, most of which came from Mark Zuckerberg, and that some have claimed the funds were used improperly and benefited Democrats. It added that election officials and multiple audits have shown there was no widespread fraud and that former President Biden won the election. [ 3 ]
The Hill said recent public polling has been sparse, though earlier surveys showed Crowley with a narrow lead. Cook Political Report and Inside Election rate the race a "toss up", while Decision Desk HQ rates it "lean Democrat". Trump has endorsed Tiffany, and early voting began Tuesday, The Hill said. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
NBC News said the race is the state's first open governor's contest since 2010 and called it close. Early voting began Tuesday, and this was the only debate between the two candidates.
Key facts
- David Crowley, a Democrat and the Milwaukee County executive, and Tom Tiffany, a Republican member of Congress, debated on Wednesday night in their only debate of the Wisconsin governor's race. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The winner will succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers; NBC News said it is the first open governor's race in Wisconsin since 2010. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The New York Times said the debate was held at Marquette University Law School, and The Hill said it was hosted by WISN 12. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Tiffany said he would undo various tax increases and return surplus dollars to residents, while Crowley called for a "fair tax system" to fund education, infrastructure and transportation. [ 1 ]
- Crowley linked Tiffany to Trump's policies, including the "big, beautiful bill", tariffs and the war with Iran, which he said have raised prices. [ 1 ]
- Pressed on why he voted against certifying the 2020 election, Tiffany pointed to "Zuckerbucks" and said private money should not go into elections. [ 3 ]
- The Hill said Cook Political Report and Inside Election rate the race a "toss up", while Decision Desk HQ rates it "lean Democrat". [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The debate on Wednesday was the only one between Crowley and Tiffany in the race for Wisconsin governor. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Crowley is the Democratic candidate and Milwaukee County executive, and Tiffany is the Republican candidate and a member of Congress; the seat is being left by retiring Gov. Tony Evers. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The candidates sparred over taxes and the 2020 election, among other topics. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Where the race stands in the polls. The Hill said recent public polling has been sparse, though earlier surveys showed Crowley with a narrow lead; only The Hill gave this.
- Whether funds known as "Zuckerbucks" were used improperly or benefited Democrats. The Hill said some have claimed this, while election officials and multiple audits showed no widespread fraud in the 2020 election.