Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany sparred Wednesday night during their sole debate in Wisconsin’s race for governor, sniping at one another on affordability, President Donald Trump, abortion, and the 2020 election.Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, and Tiffany, a member of Congress representing a northern Wisconsin district, are running in a close race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov.Tony Evers — the first open gubernatorial race in the state since 2010.The debate most prominently focused on economic issues, with each candidate taking aim at the other over whose policies would best bring down prices.
Tiffany vowed to do so by undoing various tax increases and returning surplus dollars to residents, while Crowley advocated for a “a fair tax system” that would fund education, infrastructure and transportation.Throughout Wednesday’s hourlong debate, Crowley frequently linked Tiffany to Trump and his policies — including the “big, beautiful bill,” tariffs and the war with Iran — that he said have raised prices in the state and nationally.Crowley also accused Tiffany of “doing the bidding” of “the billionaire class,” pointing to the donations he has received from Republican megadonors.“When Congressman Tom Tiffany says he’s focusing 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 is happening in Washington D.C.
coming into the state of Wisconsin.It is very clear that he is working for Donald Trump and the billionaires who are funding his campaign,” Crowley added.
Tiffany retorted that “while my opponent” was “consistently focused on being against Donald Trump, I’m for Wisconsin — and rather than creating a bunch more programs that are go...