Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates clash over economy, Trump and 2020 election in tense debate

Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany faced off Wednesday night in their only debate in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race, sniping at each other over affordability, President Donald Trump, abortion and the 2020 election.

Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, and Tiffany, a congresswoman representing a northern Wisconsin district, are in a tight race to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers — the first open gubernatorial race in the state since 2010.

The debate focused primarily on economic issues, with each candidate attacking the other over which policy would be most effective in lowering prices. Tiffany pledged to reverse various tax increases and return surpluses to residents, while Crowley advocated for a “fair tax system” that would fund education, infrastructure and transportation.

Throughout Wednesday’s hour-long debate, Crowley frequently linked Tiffany to Trump and his policies — including the “big, beautiful bill,” tariffs and the war with Iran — which he said have driven up prices in the state and nationally. He also accused Tiffany of “doing the bidding” of “the billionaire class,” pointing to donations he received from Republican megadonors.

“When Congressman Tom Tiffany says he’s focused on affordability, let’s be very clear: He voted for the big, ugly bill that (helped) some of the highest earners here in the state of Wisconsin,” Crowley said, referring to the 2025 tax cut and spending bill that reduced funding for health care and food assistance programs in many states.

“We don’t need what’s happening in Washington, DC, to extend to the state of Wisconsin. It’s very clear that he’s working for Donald Trump and the billionaires who are funding his campaign,” Crowley added.

Tiffany countered that “while my opponent” was “constantly focused on opposing Donald Trump, I’m for Wisconsin — and rather than creating a bunch of additional programs that will end up taxing Wisconsinites more, I want to put more money in taxpayers’ pockets.”

He later accused Crowley of looking “like a socialist.” After a competitive primary this summer in which he defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, by fewer than 4,000 votes, Crowley had sought to downplay political differences between them as part of an effort to unite Democrats.

“I think it’s really important to know that he said there was very little difference between me and Francesca Hong,” Tiffany said of her opponent Wednesday night. “That sounds like a socialist to me.”

Later in the debate, Tiffany was pressed on whether to vote to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election as a member of Congress. Responding to questions from moderators, Tiffany said: “One of the reasons I did this is Zuckerbucks. »

After the 2020 election, Trump allies falsely claimed that millions of dollars that Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg gave to groups helping election administration offices was a front by Zuckerberg to help Joe Biden win the election. Wisconsin voters banned the use of private funds in election administration by ballot measure in 2024.

“Let’s be very clear: The congressman just said the only reason he was willing to waste hundreds of thousands of votes here in the state of Wisconsin is because he disagreed with how someone was spending money,” Crowley said.

“He showed us that because of disagreement, he would throw out (votes),” Crowley added.

Abortion has also emerged as a controversial topic. Tiffany said he would follow state law allowing access to abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

But in the House, Tiffany supported so-called heartbeat bills that would ban abortion care after about six weeks of pregnancy. He said Wednesday that he would not sign a law restricting access to abortion to six weeks.

Crowley said that as governor, he would work with the Legislature to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. He reiterated that plan Wednesday and declined to say whether he would sign a bill that would legalize abortion without gestational limits.

“I don’t believe a law like this will ever reach my desk,” he said.