Wisconsin’s next gubernatorial election is this year, with a primary Aug. 11 and the general election Nov. 3. Incumbent governor, Democrat Tony Evers, is not running for a third term.
Two Republicans and five Democrats are running for governor. The candidate from each party who receives the most votes in the August primary will advance to the general election in November.
Who’s dropped out of the race?
- Missy Hughes, Democrat: Hughes dropped out of the race on June 21 and endorsed Sara Rodriguez.
- Sara Rodriguez, Democrat: Rodriguez dropped out of the race on July 17.
What does Wisconsin’s governor do?
Wisconsin’s governor is elected on a combined ballot with the lieutenant governor. They are elected for four-year terms. The governor is the state’s chief executive who reviews all bills passed by the Legislature; appoints most of the heads of major state agencies like the Departments of Health, Transportation and Revenue; and can veto an entire bill or parts of a bill that deals with spending. However, the state Legislature can override a governor’s veto by a two-thirds majority vote. The governor can also call the Legislature into special session to deal with specific legislation.
What's at stake?
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is not running again, creating an open field in the race.
Republicans have controlled the Wisconsin Legislature since 2011, and for part of that time, they also held the governor's office. That allowed them to push through major policy changes like Act 10, voter ID laws, and laws restricting access to abortion.
If Democrats are able to win a trifecta in the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature, they could further long-desired Democratic goals like legalization of marijuana, paid family leave and potentially even new Congressional district maps ahead of the 2028 election, which could also affect the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Tom Tiffany (Republican)
Current occupation: Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District Representative
What motivates you to run for governor and serve the public?
I'm a lifelong Wisconsinite who wants the very best for our state because this is where my roots are, where Chris and I raised our family, and where I want future generations to build their lives. I grew up on a dairy farm in western Wisconsin, worked my way through UW–River Falls, and built a small business in the Northwoods with my wife while raising our three daughters. Those experiences taught me the value of hard work and making every dollar count. I ran for governor because I believe Wisconsin's best days are still ahead. We can make our state more affordable, improve our schools, and ensure the next generation has even greater opportunities than the last.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work across the aisle to tackle cost-of-living issues in Wisconsin?
Property taxes have increased at some of the fastest rates in decades, and utility rates have increased more than $2 billion under Governor Evers. It is becoming harder to afford a home, raise a family, or start a business. As governor, my priority will be making Wisconsin more affordable. I will end the 400-year property tax hike, hold the Public Service Commission accountable, protect our farmland from industrial-scale wind, solar, and data centers, require healthcare price transparency, cut red tape that drives up housing costs, and root out waste, fraud, and abuse. Wisconsin needs common-sense leadership to lower costs, protect taxpayers, and unlock our state's full potential.
What are Wisconsin’s most urgent funding issues, and how would you address them in the state budget?
The last state budget surpassed $100 billion for the first time in Wisconsin history. The problem isn't that taxpayers aren't sending enough money to Madison. The problem is that government has drifted away from its core responsibilities. Government should focus on keeping our communities safe, maintaining our roads, educating our kids, caring for our most vulnerable citizens, and protecting taxpayers. As governor, I'll audit state government from top to bottom, root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and make sure taxpayer dollars reach classrooms, local communities, law enforcement, and essential services instead of getting lost in bureaucracy. Wisconsin needs a government that lives within its means, respects taxpayers, and delivers results.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
I have five principles when it comes to data centers. First, I would end all subsidies, including those provided under Governor Evers. Taxpayers should not subsidize some of the world's wealthiest companies. Second, local communities must have the final say on every project. Third, I would protect Wisconsin farmland from industrial-scale development, just as I've opposed sacrificing it for wind and solar. Fourth, any costs created by data centers must be paid by the facilities themselves, not passed on to Wisconsinites through higher utility bills. Fifth, I would ban NDAs that keep communities in the dark. If these principles aren't met, the project shouldn't move forward. Wisconsin deserves transparency, accountability, and local control.
Moderate and independent voters are often a deciding factor in Wisconsin's close elections. How do you plan to reach these voters?
I love this state because I grew up here, raised my family here, and lived the American Dream here. Just like you, I want what's best for Wisconsin. My agenda is built on common sense: lower property taxes, root out waste, fraud, and abuse, improve our schools, protect our communities, lower energy costs, and get government out of your way so you can keep more of what you earn. My opponents are racing to see who can move further to the left with higher taxes, bigger government, and one of them even wants to abolish the police. I'm running to make Wisconsin more affordable, keep our communities safe, create better opportunities for our kids, protect our farmland, and ensure Wisconsin remains the best place to live.
How would Wisconsin navigate the Trump administration's policies within your first year in office?
Wisconsin’s relationship with the federal government should be based on partnership and accountability. The federal government sends significant taxpayer dollars to our state, and the governor has a responsibility to ensure those funds are spent wisely, protected from fraud, waste, and abuse, and directed toward helping our most vulnerable citizens. By working with our federal partners, we can improve infrastructure, strengthen public safety, and create economic opportunity. I will always stand up for Wisconsin and ensure our state receives the resources needed to help our communities succeed.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
- Milwaukee Police Association
- Stand for Health Freedom
- Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Volunteers for Agriculture
- Kenosha Professional Police Association
- The LIBRE Initiative
Andy Manske (Republican)
Current occupation: Medical Service Technician
What motivates you to run for governor and serve the public?
I am a religious person, but don't force it on anyone. I do believe in making Wisconsin more heavenly on earth. We can do better for our neighbors, family, and state. I'm proud to advocate for mental health, societal reform to allow tax cuts, and reform to a system needed badly. I have two younger sisters, and that instilled in me a high amount of responsibility to do what is right. My wife and I want children, and this is just a way of advocating for future kids we hope to have. I have a baby nephew, and working in the medical field seeing everyone suffering is a major factor. I see a Wisconsin where people are in debt, are burned out, are losing hope, are falling behind, are losing their jobs, and more. I want to change that!
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work across the aisle to tackle cost-of-living issues in Wisconsin?
I come from a family of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. My platform is designed so that it spans the political spectrum. So if I control the governor's mansion and Democrats control the state senate and assembly, reforms will come anyway. I would work with Republicans, Democrats, and anyone to achieve real reforms and positive changes for the people of Wisconsin.
What are Wisconsin’s most urgent funding issues, and how would you address them in the state budget?
Honestly, funding everywhere hasn't kept up with inflation. Whether education, emergency services, and local budgets, among others. I would also say that after 40% inflation, the citizens are the most urgent funding issues. Falling behind, paychecks not going as far, fewer friends and relationships, not being able to afford homes, or just being pushed out of Wisconsin when they do own a home. Our state funding will only go down as people I know and have met continue to leave Wisconsin. Also, we would see less political spending and less investment as a shrinking state. In a state budget I'll propose tackling the gas markup and tax on female tips and seek to adjust our state government with modern technology to give back 30% to the people.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
I am the only one who wanted to ban them. Viewing data centers as destructive to both our culture, industry, and native populace and small local feelings. If that is not achievable, they will be made to follow strict regulations to come to Wisconsin. That would entail contracts with the state, and then data centers can go local so they can't foot citizens with the bill. My policy is a citizen mirror policy after that. They would provide the water they take out back at the same amount where it came from. They would return the water at the same temperature. They would not go through farmland or native populace land or be near the wider populace sound wise. They must provide their own energy and would not be allowed on the public grid, etc.
Moderate and independent voters are often a deciding factor in Wisconsin's close elections. How do you plan to reach these voters?
Moderate and independent voters would love the chance to vote for Manske, I believe. They would have an affinity with a unbought, uncorrupted man. A man of the people who gives out his phone number and email to them. And would serve them over the political establishment. They might not agree on all my stances or views. But they can respect a real regular person advocating for change. I work for them like all other citizens, and I am accountable to them. I plan to reach those voters by hopefully shocking the system on August 11th and then, through conversations, media, ads, and personability/accountability, win their hearts, minds, and votes.
How would Wisconsin navigate the Trump administration's policies within your first year in office?
I would welcome federal aid for our programs and seek to establish a relationship to push nuclear energy quicker to achieve "dirt cheap energy" costs in Wisconsin. We would be cooperative at points and fight head on at others. I am of the mindset that what is good for DC isn't always good for Wisconsinites. I ain't nobody's yes man, but the people's yes man. I work for them, first and foremost. Trump, or anyone in that office past 28, will not influence Wisconsin. We will stand our ground on our way of life.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
I have no endorsements, and that is because the system had other plans before I even entered. Imagine calling as a regular citizen any political official with no office and honestly expecting them to endorse you. No, that cake has been baked from the start, and endorsements are just that, endorsements. The biggest endorsement I could ever receive is the citizen's endorsement. As a citizen of Wisconsin, I ask you to make history and vote for Manske on August 11th to chance an upset to go on to make the governor's mansion the people's mansion to finally end gridlock and once and for all achieve a utopia in Wisconsin through good governance, reform, tax cuts, and policy to bring affordability back.
Francesca Hong (Democrat)
Current occupation: State Representative AD-76, service industry worker
What motivates you to run for governor and serve the public?
I'm a chef, a single mom, and a small business owner. I know what it's like to work a double and still worry about the bills. When the pandemic hit, I watched my industry's workers get left behind by a government that always finds money for the wealthy and connected but never for the rest of us. That's why I ran for the Assembly, and it's why I'm running for governor. Wisconsin's affordability crisis isn't an accident. It's the result of choices that put the ultra-rich first. I'm running to make different choices: universal childcare, paid leave for every worker, fully funded public schools, healthcare that doesn't bankrupt you, and a moratorium on data centers that steal our public money and pollute our environment.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work across the aisle to tackle cost-of-living issues in Wisconsin?
Affordability isn't a partisan issue. I've had conversations in small towns, dive bars, farms, and union halls across Wisconsin, and Republicans and independents tell me the same thing Democrats do: childcare costs too much, property taxes are too high, and the ultra-rich aren't paying their share. I've passed legislation with Republican co-sponsors before, and I'll govern the same way: find the shared interest, name it plainly, and build the public pressure that moves legislators in both parties. Universal policies — childcare, paid leave, lower property taxes — help every Wisconsinite, in every county. That's how you work across the aisle: deliver things everyone needs.
What are Wisconsin’s most urgent funding issues, and how would you address them in the state budget?
On June 30, the Legislature let childcare bridge funding expire. One in four providers say they may close. That's the most urgent crisis, and I'd fix it with permanent state investment in universal childcare. Next, public schools. We spend $629 million a year on school vouchers while districts beg voters to keep the lights on. I'd fully fund public schools, including 90% special education reimbursement, by taxing the millionth dollar in income or corporate profit — slicing the amount the rest of us pay in property taxes almost in half. And healthcare: expand BadgerCare, accept the federal money 40 other states already take, and begin planning for how we rebuild Trump’s Medicaid cuts. The money exists. The question is who the budget serves.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
Voters are right, and I am the only candidate in this race to call for a moratorium on AI data center construction. We need to hit pause, get real data, and stop writing blank checks. Wisconsin is going to give up $2 billion in public money to data centers while these facilities pollute our water, strain our grid, and shrink ratepayers' wallets. My plan: a moratorium on new construction, an end to subsidies, full transparency with no NDAs, establishing communities' right to say no, and a requirement that any new energy demand be met with new, clean, publicly owned power. If the world's richest corporations want to build here, they can pay their own way. No more sending the bill to working Wisconsinites.
Moderate and independent voters are often a deciding factor in Wisconsin's close elections. How do you plan to reach these voters?
The same way I reach everyone: by showing up and talking about what life actually costs. I've campaigned in small towns, on farms, in dive bars — places traditional politicians write off. What I've found is that independents aren't in the middle; they're fed up. Take data centers: 76% of independents say the costs outweigh the benefits. They see a rigged system handing subsidies to the world's richest corporations while their own bills climb. My agenda aims to address that with lower property taxes, universal childcare, paid leave – universal policies that don't ask your donors first. Moderate and independent voters don't want a smaller vision. They want a government that finally works for them.
How would Wisconsin navigate the Trump administration's policies within your first year in office?
By refusing to let Wisconsin be a testing ground for cruelty. In my first year, we'll use every legal tool the state has: backing Attorney General Kaul's litigation against unlawful federal actions, from tariffs squeezing our farmers to funding cuts targeting our families. We'll protect BadgerCare and food assistance from federal sabotage, and shore up childcare and public schools with state investment. We'll keep families together: no state resources for masked, warrantless ICE raids, and due process for all. A governor's job is to stand between her people and the harm coming at them and to keep building the affordable Wisconsin that will outlast any president.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
Our Revolution, Our Wisconsin Revolution, UFAS Local #223, BLOC- Black Leaders Organizing Communities, AAPI Victory Fund, Hmong Organizing & Mobilizing for Empowerment, several DSA and YDSA chapters, Congressman Ro Khanna, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Senator Nina Turner, Kat Abughazelah, and dozens of state and local elected officials.
Kelda Roys (Democrat)
Current occupation: State Senator, small business owner, attorney
What motivates you to run for governor and serve the public?
I am running for governor to deliver higher wages, lower costs, better schools, and more freedom for Wisconsinites.
We have a once-in-a-generation chance to change the trajectory of our state. We need our most experienced, strong, and policy-driven leader as governor to ensure this moment isn't wasted.
As the only candidate with deep knowledge of the state budget from serving on the Joint Finance Committee and terms in both the senate and assembly, I know how to use power to deliver real change. For almost 25 years, I've passed progressive legislation on all kinds of issues – with narrow Democratic majorities and deeply Republican legislatures. I know what needs to be done and I’m not afraid to use power to deliver the progress we deserve.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work across the aisle to tackle cost-of-living issues in Wisconsin?
Raising wages is the most important way to fix the affordability crisis. As the lead author of the Living Wage bill, I’ll raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15, and restore collective bargaining rights so we can rebuild a strong middle class.
I have detailed plans to lower costs on health care and prescription drugs, housing, childcare, higher ed and utilities – not just bullet points but bills that are ready to pass. My health plan will allow people and employers to buy into the state’s own employee health insurance plan, at cost – saving money, improving coverage, and reducing uncompensated care. For universal paid leave and early childhood education, I’ll cap per-kid costs at 7% of a family’s income, paid for by legalizing cannabis.
What are Wisconsin’s most urgent funding issues, and how would you address them in the state budget?
As a mom/stepmom of 5, public education funding is my top priority. We deserve the best schools in the nation, and I’m proud to have the endorsement of WEAC, our teachers. I will restore the state’s two-thirds funding commitment for public education with 90% reimbursement for special education. We must also end the voucher scheme responsibly, and I’m the only candidate with a plan to do it. Stopping privatization and restoring pre-Walker taxes on multimillionaires, billionaires, and big corporations lets us fully fund public education, reduce property taxes, and stop the divisive cycle of referendums. We have the money for school-based mental health, arts and music, advanced and vocation learning if everyone pays their fair share.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
My plan will stop unregulated data center development immediately: I’ll end subsidies, charge full cost and higher rates, and require upfront payments of hundreds of millions of dollars to stop speculators and capitalize a public infrastructure bank to give no-interest loans to schools and municipalities for clean energy upgrades like geothermal HVAC and solar panels. I’ll direct the PSC and DNR to enforce existing protections and pass stringent new laws to require transparency, meaningful local control, environmental and worker protections, and absolute protections for ratepayers. We must regulate Big Tech products, too – and I’ve authored more bills than any legislator in the state to regulate AI, social media, crypto, and big data.
Moderate and independent voters are often a deciding factor in Wisconsin's close elections. How do you plan to reach these voters?
Electability matters to Democratic primary voters. As a proven progressive fighter and the most experienced, effective leader in the race with a record of passing bipartisan bills, I am the consensus candidate who can unite moderates, liberals, independents, and even some conservatives across the state.
I'm leading with policy that helps us all: raising wages, lowering costs for health care, housing, and childcare. As a small business owner who understands meeting payroll and competing fairly, I'll listen first and be straight about tradeoffs. Unlike Trump’s rubber stamp Tiffany, I’m an independent thinker and tough campaigner who will both stand up to chaos and corruption and deliver tangible change in this tough political environment.
How would Wisconsin navigate the Trump administration's policies within your first year in office?
With moral clarity, political courage, and the willingness to use power to protect us and fight authoritarianism. I’ll push to unmask and prosecute ICE agents who break the law, stop our resources from assisting mass deportations, protect our elections by expanding voting rights and public campaign financing, and mitigate federal cuts by opening up the state health insurance plan to let anyone buy in. For 25 years, I’ve been standing up to bullies and billionaires while building coalitions and passing bipartisan bills.
My plans for higher wages, lower costs, better schools, and more freedom can generally be accomplished without federal funding or permission. As an attorney, protecting our democracy and the rule of law is my top priority.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
Barbara Lawton (Former Lt. Governor), Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), Moms Demand Action, Tom Loftus (Former Assembly Speaker), Vote Run Lead Action, 2026 Mental Health Now, Center for Freethought Equality, Sarah Keyeski (WI State Senator), Brienne Brown (WI State Rep), Karen Kirsch (WI State Rep), Tom Nelson (Former Assembly Majority Leader, Outagamie County Executive), hundreds of additional elected and former elected officials and community leaders. I have earned the most endorsements of any candidate in the race.
Mandela Barnes (Democrat)
Current occupation: Candidate for Governor of Wisconsin
What motivates you to run for governor and serve the public?
Wisconsinites are living in a rigged system where the rich get richer while the rest of us get left behind scrambling for crumbs. I know it firsthand. I grew up in the heart of the 53206 zip code—that’s the state’s poorest and most incarcerated zip code in the entire country. I got my start as a community organizer and I’ve spent my entire career fighting to make life better for families across Wisconsin. But right now, families are working harder than ever yet they still can’t get ahead—and Donald Trump is doing everything he can to make it worse. That’s why I am running for Governor—to reject the broken Washington Way and get things done the Wisconsin Way. We are going to tax the rich, freeze utility rates, and keep Wisconsin safe.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work across the aisle to tackle cost-of-living issues in Wisconsin?
Costs are out of control because we have a president whose sole focus is on making he and his billionaire donors rich off the backs of working people. As Governor, I’ll do everything I can to bring down costs. It starts by taxing the rich and making out-of-state corporations pay their fair share to cut taxes for middle class families. I will fight to finally expand BadgerCare and create a public option to lower healthcare costs. We will lower utility bills by freezing the rates and take on the greedy utility monopolies by capping their executive pay and banning ratepayer dollars from being used to buy politicians. I will deliver universal childcare to address the broken system that is forcing families to make impossible decisions.
What are Wisconsin’s most urgent funding issues, and how would you address them in the state budget?
Wisconsin’s schools are in crisis. Politicians have failed Wisconsin families for decades by failing to meet our constitutional obligation to fully fund our schools. This is why district after district is cutting staff, increasing class sizes, and going to referendum year after year just to keep the lights on. This cycle ends when I become Governor—we will fully fund our schools, including special education. We need to fix a broken funding formula that leaves students behind and get more money into our schools so every parent can feel confident their kids are receiving a high quality education.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
As Governor, I will end tax credits for data centers and ensure new data center construction does not happen until there are guardrails on the books that guarantee of 100% of costs —including utility costs—are covered by the company, union labor construction, vast community benefit agreements, full environmental review that shows no threat or damage to our water resources, and a ban on NDAs. Trillion dollar big tech companies are taking over every facet of our lives; social media companies that exacerbate the mental health crisis, AI companies leading to enormous job losses. Now, data centers represent the physical manifestation of this wave of corporate greed. Bottom line—if a community does not want a data center, it shouldn’t be built.
Moderate and independent voters are often a deciding factor in Wisconsin's close elections. How do you plan to reach these voters?
I've been on both sides of Wisconsin's razor-thin elections, so I know exactly what it takes to win here. The establishment thinks the only way to win independent voters is to water yourself down, and they couldn’t be more wrong. I talk to voters every single day of all backgrounds and ideologies. No one is looking for someone to blur the lines. They're looking for someone who'll fix what's broken. I'm running on bold solutions, and I won't apologize for any of them. Taxing the rich, passing universal childcare, delivering healthcare to every person in this state—that's how we will reject the status quo and get things done the Wisconsin Way.
How would Wisconsin navigate the Trump administration's policies within your first year in office?
Donald Trump is doing everything he can to make himself richer while making life harder for every single Wisconsin family. He and his handpicked rubber stamp Tom Tiffany have passed massive price hikes that are bankrupting family farms, small businesses, and families in every corner of the state. As Governor, my focus will be protecting Wisconsin from the chaos of the Trump administration while doing everything I can to bring down costs. Unlike Washington Democrats and the establishment, we will not cave when the fights get hard.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
I’m proud to have been endorsed by End Citizens United for my resolve in the fight to get money out of politics and to reject corporate PAC money; UFCW Local 1473—the largest private sector union in the state; Collective PAC; NRDC Action Fund; Senators Adam Schiff; Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond, Superior Mayor Jim Paine, and dozens of state and local officials from across Wisconsin.
Joel Brennan (Democrat)
Current occupation: President of the Greater Milwaukee Committee
What motivates you to run for governor and serve the public?
I grew up one of eleven kids in a fifth generation Wisconsin family, worked five jobs to pay my way through college, and raised my family here with my wife Audra. For 25 years, I have solved problems in government, non-profits and the private sector, caring less about credit than about getting things done. I know what it means when the numbers don't add up. I served as Governor Evers' Secretary of Administration — we delivered a $4 billion surplus, grew the rainy day fund to $1.7 billion, and got pandemic relief to families, farmers and small businesses across the state. Wisconsin needs a governor who actually knows how to run things and will stay laser-focused on lowering costs for families. That's the job, and I'm ready to do it.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work across the aisle to tackle cost-of-living issues in Wisconsin?
I've done it before. During COVID, I worked with local elected officials across the ideological spectrum to address challenges and to get resources where they were needed most. As Secretary of Administration, I worked with a Republican-controlled legislature to address budget needs, especially in the capital budget. My approach is simple: show up, do the homework, find common ground. On affordability, there's bipartisan agreement that healthcare costs, housing, child care, and energy bills are crushing Wisconsin families. I'd work with any legislator willing to act on those issues. Where agreement isn't possible, I'll use the partial veto and executive authority to protect families. Divided government doesn't have to mean gridlock.
What are Wisconsin’s most urgent funding issues, and how would you address them in the state budget?
Our child care emergency got worse on July 1 when state money to support providers ran out. Waiting lists are increasing, costs are going up for everyone, and a quarter of Wisconsin's providers could close in the coming months. We will use surplus funds to meet immediate needs and create a permanent fix in the budget, because more than a billion dollars of productivity - mainly from women - sits on the sidelines every year because of the childcare crisis. The school funding formula is broken — 60 districts went to referendum this spring just for operations. And healthcare costs keep rising while access shrinks, especially in rural Wisconsin. I'd address all three in my first budget, because the budget sets the tone for everything else.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
Polling data reveals a basic truth: Wisconsin failed to set any rules before opening the door to data centers, and Wisconsin residents are angry about that betrayal. I'd change that immediately. Data centers should pay 100% of their own energy costs — not Wisconsin taxpayers. They should generate a share of their own power, meet clean energy and water standards, use Wisconsin union labor, and communities should have a real voice before projects are approved — not after. I don't support an open-ended moratorium, but I'd pause new approvals until those guardrails are in place. That won't take long. We can address these issues in the first 90 days of the next legislative session and provide the certainty that has been missing.
Moderate and independent voters are often a deciding factor in Wisconsin's close elections. How do you plan to reach these voters?
I won’t pretend the only path to winning Wisconsin is turning out the progressive base. In fact, we will lose if we fail to communicate with moderate and independent voters who decide close elections and feel left behind. They are tired of politics as usual and the gridlock in Madison. The way to reach them is by talking about issues that matter — costs, schools, infrastructure — not performing for the loudest voices in the room. I spent 11 years running a nonprofit, 4 years leading the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and years building relationships with Republicans and independents across the state. People who want things to actually get done know I'm someone who will work with them. That's not a campaign promise — it's my track record.
How would Wisconsin navigate the Trump administration's policies within your first year in office?
Wisconsin is a sovereign state, and I intend to govern it like one. I'd issue an executive order directing state agencies to refuse cooperation with federal overreach — including ICE civil immigration enforcement. I’ll set up an Accountability Commission to collect evidence against federal officers who break Wisconsin law. I'd work with the Attorney General to challenge federal action that violates Wisconsin's authority over our elections or resources. I'd fight attempts to cut Medicaid, SNAP, or education funding that Wisconsin families depend on. And I'd use the governor's platform loudly and consistently to call out federal interference. Standing up to Washington doesn't require permission. It requires a governor who's willing to do it.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
Tom Barrett, former Milwaukee Mayor and U.S. Ambassador. Brad Pfaff, State Senator and former Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. A coalition of more than 20 former Wisconsin state legislators. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Dina Nobile. Former Wisconsin Attorney General Don Hanaway.
David Crowley (Democrat)
Current occupation: Milwaukee County executive
Crowley did not respond to WUWM's candidate questions. The information below is from his campaign website and from the Milwaukee County website.
Crowley is reentering the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination after withdrawing from the race July 8.
When he dropped out, Crowley backed Lieut. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. She abandoned her campaign on July 17 citing financial concerns, which prompted Crowley’s return.
Crowley was elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020, becoming the youngest county executive in the county’s history and the first Black person elected to fill the role. He was reelected in 2024.
He grew up in a working-class family in Milwaukee’s 53206 neighborhood and he has a bachelor’s degree from UW-Milwaukee.
Crowley’s campaign website says “his father worked as an electrician and his mother worked in the service industry, while both battled addiction and mental health struggles. David never knew if he would come home from school to find his family's belongings on the curb due to another eviction, food in the kitchen, or the heat and lights still on. He learned early that hard work alone isn't always enough. That when systems fail, families feel it first.”
If elected governor, Crowley says he has a “plan for Wisconsin built on Affordability, Care, and Opportunity to move our state forward.”
His 2025 policy agenda in his role as Milwaukee County executive focused on health, economic development and public safety.
