Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany met Wednesday night in their only debate in Wisconsin's race for governor. They argued over prices, President Donald Trump, abortion and the 2020 election 1. The hourlong debate was hosted by WISN 12 12.
Crowley is the Milwaukee County executive. Tiffany is a Republican member of Congress from northern Wisconsin. They are competing to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, in the state's first open governor's race since 2010 1.
Prices and the 'big, ugly bill'
The economy took up most of the night. Crowley repeatedly tied Tiffany to Trump's policies, including the 2025 tax cut and spending law, tariffs and the war with Iran. He said those policies have raised prices in Wisconsin and across the country 1.
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 was referring to the 2025 law, which reduced funding for health care and food assistance programs in many states 1. He also accused Tiffany of doing the bidding of "the billionaire class," pointing to donations from Republican megadonors 1.
Tiffany said he would undo various tax increases and return surplus dollars to residents. Crowley said he wants a fairer tax system to pay for education, infrastructure and transportation 1. Tiffany later characterized Crowley's approach as socialist 1.
The 2020 election
Moderators pressed Tiffany on his vote against certifying the 2020 presidential results. He first tried to shift focus to Crowley, then pointed to "Zuckerbucks" 2. That is a conservative term for grants that came mostly from Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg to help local governments run the 2020 election during the pandemic 2.
Trump allies falsely claimed those donations were a front to help Joe Biden win. Election officials and multiple audits have found no widespread fraud, and Biden won 12. Wisconsin voters banned private money in election administration by ballot measure in 2024 1.
One of the reasons that I did that is Zuckerbucks.
Crowley said Tiffany had been willing to "throw away hundreds of thousands of votes" over how someone spent money 1.
Abortion and the left flank
Tiffany said he would uphold Wisconsin's law allowing abortion through 20 weeks of pregnancy and would not sign a six-week ban. In the House, he has supported so-called heartbeat bills that would ban abortion at about six weeks 1.
Crowley has said he would work with the Legislature to put abortion rights in the state constitution. He declined to say whether he would sign a bill allowing abortion with no gestational limits 1. He also said he was not familiar enough with the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America to answer a question about it 2.
What happens next
Early voting began Tuesday, and Election Day is November 3 2. Public polling has been sparse, though earlier surveys showed Crowley with a narrow lead. Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race a toss-up, while Decision Desk HQ rates it lean Democrat 2.
That matters because the governor's office in a battleground state shapes health care, school funding and election rules. Trump has endorsed Tiffany 2.
The Record
Sources
- NBC News, “Wisconsin governor candidates tangle over the economy, Trump and the 2020 election” (2026-10-22). nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/wisconsin-governor-candid
- The Hill, “Tiffany, Crowley tangle in only Wisconsin governor's debate: 3 takeaways” (2026-10-22). thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6164326-tiffany-crowley-wiscon
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