MILWAUKEE —
Watch the full debate in the video player above.
WISN 12 News hosted the only debate Wednesday between Democratic candidate David Crowley and Republican candidate Tom Tiffany in the race to become Wisconsin’s next governor.
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WISN 12 News Political Director Matt Smith and “UPFRONT” co-host Gerron Jordan moderated the debate, which covered the cost of living, taxes, education, data centers, immigration enforcement, election security, abortion and marijuana legalization.
Watch the opening statements below as the candidates explain why they should be trusted.
Cost of living and taxes
Both candidates said affordability was a central concern, but they proposed different approaches.
Tiffany proposed cutting income taxes for middle-income households, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and ending what he called a 400-year property tax increase.
“We’re going to put more money in people’s pockets,” Tiffany said.
Crowley called for a fairer tax system, saying, “We need to make sure that everyone in the state of Wisconsin can have access to groceries and can afford a roof over their heads.” »
He argued that Tiffany’s support for federal tax cuts benefits the wealthy while endangering health care and other services.
State budget surplus
Tiffany said the state should return the nearly $3 billion budget surplus to taxpayers through long-term tax breaks.
“We should give all of this back to the taxpayers,” Tiffany said.
He did not say how much individual taxpayers would receive.
Crowley supported a bipartisan tax relief proposal negotiated by Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders.
“We need to use this surplus to provide relief, to make it more affordable for families across the state of Wisconsin,” Crowley said.
He said the money could help lower property taxes and support public schools, child care and health care.
Education and school vouchers
Tiffany said he would increase state funding for schools while demanding higher standards and greater accountability. He supported the idea of giving parents more school choices and said he would consider raising income limits for the state’s school voucher program.
“I just think people should have the choice they make,” Tiffany said.
Crowley opposed the expansion of the voucher program and said he would not support abruptly ending Milwaukee’s program.
“We cannot expand the voucher program in the state of Wisconsin,” Crowley said.
He called for more funding for public schools and said subsidized schools should meet standards of accountability and transparency comparable to public schools.
Transportation
Tiffany opposed new transportation user fees, tolls and the indexing of the gas tax to inflation. He said the state should fund road and transportation projects through the budget.
Crowley said he was open to new user fees and tolls, but opposed indexing the gas tax. He argued that Tiffany’s proposed tax cuts would leave less money available for transportation and other public services.
Data centers
Crowley said communities should have a say in the construction of data centers and called for the protection of farmland, waterways and the environment.
“If they don’t want a data center, they shouldn’t have to have one,” Crowley said.
Crowley also supported a pause in construction while an environmental review is underway and said he would support ending sales tax incentives for data center companies.
Tiffany said data centers should not raise utility rates or receive taxpayer subsidies.
“No subsidies for these data centers,” he said, while calling for local control, transparency and keeping them away from agricultural land.
The candidates disagreed on their results and their positions on incentives and development.
Election security
Tiffany said he opposed private funding of election administration, pointing to donations from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as the reason he joined efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and cited concerns about how mail-in voting rules were enforced. Crowley criticized Tiffany’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.
Both candidates have said they will certify the results of the 2028 election, regardless of who wins.
“I will certify the election in 2028, regardless of who wins,” Tiffany said. Crowley replied, “Absolutely.”
Abortion
Tiffany said he would follow Wisconsin’s current abortion law, which prohibits abortion after 20 weeks. He said he would not sign a six-week abortion ban.
Crowley called for a constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion and said decisions should be made by patients and health care providers. He did not answer directly yes or no when asked if he would sign a law allowing abortion without gestational limits.
Immigration Enforcement
Tiffany said he would require local, county and state law enforcement to honor federal immigration detainers for people accused of crimes.
Crowley opposed contracts between local agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and called for agents to identify themselves and obtain court warrants to enter prisons. He said he did not support a blanket ban and stressed the limits of local agency involvement and the importance of community trust.
Legalization of marijuana
Tiffany said Wisconsin should start with medical marijuana and take a step-by-step approach before deciding whether to allow recreational use.
“I think we should start with medical marijuana,” he said, although he did not clearly answer the question of whether recreational marijuana should be legal.
Crowley supported full legalization, with safeguards such as clear product labeling and protections for children.
“We need to move toward full legalization,” he said, arguing that legalization could keep tax revenue in Wisconsin instead of sending it to neighboring states.
Health care
Asked about a projected Medicaid shortfall, Tiffany cited federal funding for rural health care and said Wisconsin would receive additional funds through the work of the state’s congressional delegation. He also said his administration would seek to improve access and quality.
Crowley criticized Tiffany’s votes on federal spending on health care and Medicaid. Crowley also said marijuana tax revenue could help support health care.
Final declarations
Crowley
Crowley said he would work to cut costs, expand health care and improve schools. He criticized Tiffany before declaring: “I will work for you. »
Tiffany
Tiffany finished by recounting an emergency landing on Lake Wausau and praising the first responders who made it and the pilot.
“As your next governor, I’m going to make sure you see the best of Wisconsin,” he said.
The “Wisconsin Governor’s Debate on the WISN 12 2026 Pledge” was held at the Lubar Center in Eckstein Hall at Marquette University School of Law. The debate did not have an in-person audience.
Election Day is November 3 and WISN 12 News is following the races and decisions shaping Wisconsin. We track key candidates and contests at every level and explain what the results could mean for your community. Get verified facts, context, and multiple perspectives on the issues shaping the state. Follow us on air, at WISN.com and on the WISN 12 application.
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