--- title: "Crowley vs. Tiffany: 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-governor-wi" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race: David Crowley (D) vs. Tom Tiffany (R) Rating: Toss-up · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 The 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election features Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley facing off against Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany to succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The battleground race hinges on key economic issues including data center subsidies, inflation, property tax reform, local control, education funding, and public safety. ## Candidates - **David Crowley** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.crowleyforwi.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) - **Tom Tiffany** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://tomtiffany.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ## Issues ### Data centers Salience: high Tiffany calls for ending state subsidies for data centers to protect ratepayers and farmland, whereas Crowley advocates for allowing local communities to decide whether to host data centers. **David Crowley:** Supports local community control Crowley advocates for local community control regarding data center developments, allowing municipalities to decide whether to host new facilities. His campaign has actively shared videos clarifying his stance to counter opposition attacks while supporting local economic autonomy. - Support allowing local communities to decide whether they want a data center. - Defend municipal decision-making authority over big tech developments. > “The Crowley campaign has responded to Tiffany’s attacks by sharing videos of Crowley explaining his positions on data centers, including highlighting his support for allowing local communities to decide whether they want a data center.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Opposes data center state subsidies Tiffany opposes state subsidies for data centers, arguing they burden utility ratepayers and threaten Wisconsin farmland and water resources. He has made ending subsidies for big tech data centers a prominent line of attack against Crowley. - Call for ending state subsidies for data centers. - Enact protections for utility ratepayers, farmland, and water resources. > “While Republicans have traditionally had a pro-business reputation, Tiffany has called for ending state subsidies for data centers and creating additional protections for ratepayers and the state’s farmland and water.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high Crowley seeks to grow the economy through union apprenticeships, community business capital, and local storefront revitalizations, while Tiffany focuses on broad deregulation and protecting workers from foreign labor competition. **David Crowley:** Supports union labor and small business growth Crowley proposes expanding his Milwaukee Building Bridges Program statewide to revitalize commercial corridors block by block. He advocates expanding apprenticeships in union trades and green energy, cutting red tape for local entrepreneurs, and expanding access to affordable capital via community lenders. - Take the Building Bridges Program statewide to revitalize storefronts and commercial corridors. - Expand apprenticeship and technical training programs in trades, healthcare, and green energy. - Streamline permitting across state agencies and expand access to capital through community lenders. > “Crowley will grow an economy rooted in local ownership and union labor. He’ll take his Building Bridges Program statewide—revitalizing storefronts, activating commercial corridors, and creating jobs block by block.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Promotes deregulation and worker protection Tiffany focuses on cutting burdensome state regulations, expanding manufacturing, and unleashing baseload energy to lower everyday living costs. He advocates protecting Wisconsin workers from foreign labor undercutting and promoting free enterprise. - Cut regulations to lower costs and foster business growth. - Protect Wisconsin workers from being undercut by foreign labor. - Revitalize state manufacturing and building sectors. > “Tom will restore order and create opportunity for our great state. That means building again. Manufacturing again. Powering Wisconsin with reliable, affordable energy again, and protecting Wisconsin workers from being undercut by foreign labor.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Taxes and Fiscal Policy Salience: high Tiffany advocates a statewide freeze on property taxes and repealing tax increases, whereas Crowley supports state revenue reforms to lower property taxes while boosting local government funding. **David Crowley:** Supports local revenue reform and property tax cuts Crowley advocates for state revenue reform to give municipalities the resources needed to fund local services while lowering property taxes. He highlights his record as Milwaukee County Executive of delivering balanced budgets and securing new revenue tools from the state. - Reform state revenue sharing to lower local property taxes. - Provide municipalities with funding tools to sustain public safety and local services. - Promote balanced state budgets while protecting municipal local control. > “Through smart revenue reform, Crowley will ensure local governments have the tools and funding to serve their residents — while lowering property taxes and re-empowering local decision-making.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports freezing property taxes and tax relief Tiffany promises to freeze property taxes, repeal Governor Tony Evers' 400-year tax increase, and eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. He cites his legislative record of balancing state budgets and enacting major tax cuts. - Freeze property taxes across Wisconsin. - Repeal Governor Evers' 400-year tax increase. - End taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits. > “He will freeze property taxes, repeal Governor Evers’ massive 400-year tax increase, and drive down energy costs by unleashing reliable baseload power.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Education and Childcare Salience: high Crowley advocates capping family childcare costs at 7% and fully funding special education, while Tiffany focuses on directing funds away from system bureaucracy and eliminating 'woke' concepts in school curricula. **David Crowley:** Supports universal early education and childcare caps Crowley's education agenda includes universal early childhood education, increased investments in public schools, and fully funding the special education reimbursement gap. He proposes a statewide childcare framework featuring paid family leave, direct support for providers, and capping out-of-pocket childcare costs at 7% of income. - Cap out-of-pocket childcare costs at 7% for all working families. - Establish universal early childhood education and paid family leave. - Fully close the special education reimbursement gap for public schools. > “Crowley’s plan includes universal early childhood education, new investments in public schools, and closing the special education reimbursement gap.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports higher standards and school choice Tiffany emphasizes directing education dollars directly to students, teachers, and local communities rather than administrative bureaucracy. He advocates higher academic reading and math standards, merit pay for great teachers, and eliminating 'woke' classroom curricula regarding race. - Direct state education funding to students and teachers rather than bureaucracy. - Raise academic reading and math standards and enforce school leader accountability. - Eliminate race-based oppressor and victim concepts from public school instruction. > “They should be in school learning to read, write, and do math in the classroom, not getting brainwashed to believe that some of their classmates are “oppressors” and others are “victims” based solely on their skin tone.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Energy and Climate Salience: medium Crowley promotes expanding solar energy and energy retrofits to create union jobs, whereas Tiffany seeks to expand baseload power and prohibit renewable projects on farmland. **David Crowley:** Supports clean energy and union job creation Crowley supports investing in solar power, energy retrofits, and clean infrastructure to create union jobs across the state. He highlights his record as Milwaukee County Executive in reducing municipal emissions by nearly 50% as a model for statewide climate action. - Invest in solar energy, retrofits, and clean infrastructure. - Create thousands of union clean energy jobs. - Expand municipal carbon reduction initiatives statewide. > “Crowley will invest in solar, energy retrofits, and clean infrastructure that creates thousands of union jobs across Wisconsin. He’s already cut emissions nearly 50% in Milwaukee County—now he’s ready to take that impact statewide.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports baseload power and market competition Tiffany advocates expanding reliable baseload power to drive down electricity rates, while opposing green energy subsidies and mandates. He specifically pledges to ban wind and solar developments on Wisconsin farmland. - Drive down energy costs by unleashing reliable baseload power. - Ban solar and wind projects on agricultural farmland. - Require renewable energy sources to compete in the market without state subsidies. > “He will also fight to ban the death tax and protect Wisconsin farmland from being destroyed by wind and solar projects.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Public Safety and Law Enforcement Salience: medium Tiffany advocates banning sanctuary cities and ending revolving-door criminal release policies, while Crowley focuses on increasing state revenue streams to fund local police and fire departments. **David Crowley:** Supports funding emergency services and local police Crowley emphasizes providing local municipalities with state revenue tools to fund police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services. His platform focuses on restoring local control so communities can invest in law enforcement and responsive local services. - Provide local governments with resources to fund well-trained police and fire departments. - Expand local emergency medical services and public safety infrastructure. - Protect local decision-making power regarding municipal safety budgets. > “That means giving communities the resources to invest in what matters most: well-trained police and fire departments, reliable public works, responsive local services, and the ability to shape their own future without interference from Madison.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports law enforcement and banning sanctuary cities Tiffany promises to restore law and order by giving law enforcement full operational resources, banning sanctuary cities, and ending revolving-door bail policies for repeat offenders. He highlights strong backing from law enforcement organizations. - Ban sanctuary cities across Wisconsin. - End revolving door release policies for repeat criminal offenders. - Increase funding and operational resources for law enforcement. > “It also means safer streets by giving law enforcement the resources they need, banning sanctuary cities, and ending the revolving door policies that put repeat offenders back on our streets.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Healthcare and Social Services Salience: medium Crowley advocates state investments in mobile health clinics, addiction treatment, and direct-care worker wages, while Tiffany favors market competition and regulatory cuts to lower care costs. **David Crowley:** Supports mobile health outreach and disability services Crowley proposes expanding mobile healthcare outreach, addiction treatment access, and emergency medical service innovations across the state. He supports boosting direct-care worker wages and expanding home and community-based services for people with disabilities and seniors. - Expand mobile health outreach, addiction treatment, and EMS innovations statewide. - Invest in home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities and older adults. - Strengthen the direct care workforce through better wages and benefits. > “Crowley will expand mobile outreach, addiction treatment access, and EMS innovations across the state—because everyone deserves care that shows up when and where it’s needed.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports market competition and regulatory cuts Tiffany advocates cutting state regulations to lower healthcare costs and promoting price transparency and market competition among providers. He opposes government-run healthcare programs like Medicare for All. - Cut red tape and regulations to lower healthcare costs. - Promote market competition and price transparency for prescription drugs. - Oppose government-mandated single-payer healthcare models. > “With more choice, competition, and transparency, Americans will get better access to health care at lower costs.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Housing Salience: medium Crowley supports state efforts and streamlined permitting to build energy-efficient affordable housing, whereas Tiffany focuses on cutting building regulations to reduce housing costs. **David Crowley:** Supports affordable housing construction and energy efficiency Crowley proposes building and preserving affordable and attainable housing in rural, suburban, and urban communities alike. He pledges to streamline state approval processes and ensure new construction meets energy-efficiency and resilience standards. - Build and preserve affordable and attainable housing statewide. - Streamline approval processes to speed up new housing developments. - Ensure new housing is energy-efficient, resilient, and affordable to working families. > “Crowley will build and preserve affordable and attainable housing in rural, urban, and suburban communities alike. He’ll make it easier to get projects approved and ensure new housing is energy-efficient, resilient, and affordable to working families.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports cutting regulation to lower housing costs Tiffany advocates cutting state regulatory burdens to lower construction costs and increase housing affordability across Wisconsin. - Cut burdensome regulations to lower home building costs. - Protect private property rights against state interference. > “He will also cut burdensome regulations to make housing, childcare, and healthcare more affordable.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Agriculture and Farmland Protection Salience: low Tiffany emphasizes banning foreign farmland purchases and delisting gray wolves, while Crowley focuses on expanding rural transit and broadband infrastructure. **David Crowley:** Supports connecting rural agricultural communities to economic hubs Crowley focuses on delivering economic opportunity to rural townships by expanding broadband, improving regional transit connecting rural areas to economic centers, and supporting small local businesses. - Close Wisconsin's rural broadband gap. - Invest in regional transit linking rural towns to economic centers. > “That means investing in regional transit that links rural towns to economic centers, restoring service cuts that have left communities stranded, and building a modern transportation system that works for seniors, workers, and families alike.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports protecting farmland and delisting gray wolves Tiffany advocates prohibiting Communist China from buying Wisconsin farmland, banning solar and wind projects on agricultural land, and removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list to protect livestock and rural heritage. - Ban Communist China from purchasing Wisconsin farmland. - Prohibit solar and wind installations on active farmland. - Delist the gray wolf from the endangered species list. > “As governor, Tom will make sure not a single acre of our farmland falls into the hands of Communist China. He will also ensure the next generation of Wisconsin’s farmers has the tools and resources they need to keep putting food on our tables.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Democracy and Government Reform Salience: low Crowley promotes nonpartisan redistricting and voting rights protections, while Tiffany supports an Article V Convention of States to enact federal term limits and spending caps. **David Crowley:** Supports voting rights and nonpartisan redistricting Crowley promises to defend voting rights, push for nonpartisan redistricting at every level of state government, and strengthen democratic institutions so every voice is heard. - Protect voting rights across Wisconsin. - Push for nonpartisan redistricting at every level. - Strengthen local decision-making authority. > “Crowley will protect voting rights, push for nonpartisan redistricting at every level, and strengthen the systems that ensure every voice is heard—because democracy only works when it works for all of us.” > — David Crowley, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Crowley_%28Wisconsin%29) **Tom Tiffany:** Supports Convention of States and term limits Tiffany advocates for a Article V Convention of States to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, enact congressional term limits, and reassert state rights under the 10th Amendment. - Support an Article V Convention of States. - Enact term limits for entrenched career politicians. - Impose fiscal restraints on government spending and reassert state powers. > “He also supports a Convention of States that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, place term limits on entrenched career politicians, and reassert states' rights.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: medium **David Crowley:** No documented position in our sources **Tom Tiffany:** Supports border enforcement and banning sanctuary cities Tiffany strongly supports securing the southern border, building the border wall, and ending sanctuary cities. In Congress, he pushed to withhold federal funding from local governments that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws and opposes amnesty for undocumented immigrants. - Ban sanctuary cities and withhold state/federal funding from non-compliant jurisdictions. - Support southern border wall construction and merit-based immigration. - Oppose amnesty for undocumented immigrants. > “In Congress, Tom led the fight to secure our borders and end sanctuary cities, even pushing to withhold federal funding from states and local governments that refused to enforce immigration laws.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) ### Social Issues and Culture Salience: low **David Crowley:** No documented position in our sources **Tom Tiffany:** Supports traditional values and welfare work mandates Tiffany pledges to protect traditional Wisconsin values by restricting female sports and locker rooms to biological females, enforcing work requirements for able-bodied adults on welfare, and protecting pro-life policies. - Restrict female sports and locker rooms to biological females. - Require able-bodied adults without children to work to receive welfare benefits. - Oppose taxpayer funding for abortions and uphold pro-life policies. > “He believes girls’ sports and locker rooms should be for girls, and that moms are moms, not “inseminated persons.” He will also ensure that able-bodied adults without children work in order to receive welfare benefits, which nearly 80% of Wisconsinites supported in 2023.” > — Tom Tiffany, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Tiffany) [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-governor-wi)