Wisconsin governor candidates tangle over the economy, Trump and the 2020 election

Wisconsin's two major-party nominees for governor met for their only debate on Wednesday night, and the hour-long exchange showed how closely the contest is tied to national politics. Democrat David Crowley, who runs Milwaukee County as its executive, faced Republican Tom Tiffany, a congressman from the northern part of the state. The winner will take over from Gov. Tony Evers, who is not seeking another term, in a race with no incumbent for the first time since 2010, according to NBC News.

Prices dominated the evening. Tiffany promised to reverse certain tax hikes and send surplus funds back to residents. Crowley pitched a "fair tax system" to pay for schools, roads and transit, and repeatedly tied his rival to President Donald Trump, citing the 2025 tax and spending law, tariffs and the Iran war. He also said Tiffany serves wealthy donors. Tiffany answered that Crowley is simply anti-Trump, and called him a socialist, pointing to Crowley's remark that he and primary opponent Francesca Hong differ little.

Tiffany defended his votes against certifying the 2020 results by citing private election funding. Crowley said that showed a willingness to discard votes over a single grievance.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NBC News’s reporting. Read the full story at NBC News →