2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Bipartisan problem-solving — he describes his record as working across party lines in Madison to get results for Milwaukee.
Supporting the budget surplus deal negotiated by Governor Evers.
Affordable housing and reducing homelessness, which he made a county priority.
Keeping data centre incentives in place as an economic development tool.
Keeping what he calls a 'MAGA extremist' out of the governor's office — 'Our ultimate goal is to make sure we don't have a MAGA extremist occupying the governor's office.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Milwaukee County executive since 2020; the first Black person elected to the office; re-elected in 2024.
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly 2017-2020.
Played a prominent role in the 2023 negotiations that overhauled Wisconsin's shared revenue system for local government and allowed Milwaukee County a new sales tax.
Established a county-wide affordable housing effort and oversaw a reduction in homelessness in Milwaukee County.
A lapse in the county's health insurance contract affected tens of thousands of Milwaukee County employees.
Suspended his campaign for governor in July 2026 and endorsed Sara Rodriguez, then re-entered 24 days before the primary after she withdrew, this time with Tony Evers's endorsement.
Won the August 11 2026 Democratic primary with about 39.8%, beating Francesca Hong by roughly 0.48 points.
Arguments in favor
He has actually cut deals with Republicans in Madison — the 2023 shared revenue overhaul that got Milwaukee its funding — which is what a Democratic governor facing a Republican legislature would have to do.
— Governor Tony Evers, who endorsed him, and the Crowley campaign
'David is a really good person and he's very likable. He doesn't play the partisan games.'
— Steve Taylor, Republican Milwaukee County supervisor
As county executive he built a county-wide affordable housing programme and brought homelessness down, which supporters treat as evidence he can deliver on cost-of-living problems rather than just talk about them.
— David Crowley campaign, as reported by Wisconsin Public Radio
Arguments against
'David Crowley spent recklessly, botched health insurance for thousands, raised property and sales taxes.' Wisconsin should not be run the way Milwaukee County has been run.
— Tom Tiffany for Governor campaign, in its statewide ad 'Geez, That's Crazy'
He raised Milwaukee County property taxes by $9 million as county executive and increased the county sales tax by 80%, and the county is projected to run a $51 million deficit next year.
— Tom Tiffany, Republican nominee
'From financial scandals to re-launching failed campaigns, these Democrats shouldn't be in charge of a lemonade stand let alone the state of Wisconsin.'
— Kollin Crompton, Republican Governors Association communications director
What we couldn’t verify
His official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
A detailed statewide policy platform — on taxes, schools and health care specifically — could not be established from a source read directly; his public positioning has been largely about approach rather than programme.
His position on Wisconsin's 1849 abortion statute litigation could not be established from a source read directly.
Whether the Milwaukee County deficit figures cited against him are accurate: a Daily Cardinal fact-check found the 'failed executive' framing disputed, with his campaign attributing county finances to inflation, tariffs and federal funding cuts.
Ending what he calls the '400-year property tax increase' in Wisconsin's school funding law, and returning the state budget surplus to taxpayers.
Eliminating state taxes on tips and overtime.
Auditing every state agency 'to root out fraud and waste.'
Raising the special education reimbursement rate for public schools while ending diversity, equity and inclusion programmes — 'No more social agendas or DEI distractions.'
Freezing tuition at Universities of Wisconsin campuses and merit-based raises for teachers.
Opposing foreign investment in Wisconsin farmland; requiring health care price transparency.
Supporting Wisconsin's 20-week abortion limit.
Business deregulation.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district since a May 2020 special election.
Wisconsin State Senator 2013-2020 and State Assembly member 2011-2013; before that, a dam tender on the Willow Flowage for 29 years.
Voted on January 6 2021 to object to the certification of Pennsylvania's and Arizona's electoral votes.
Ranked 379th in the U.S. House on a bipartisanship index.
Cosponsored the Heartbeat Protection Act in 2023, which would have banned abortion at roughly six weeks; he says he supports Wisconsin's current 20-week law.
Voted in June 2025 for H.R. 1, the reconciliation law that reduced Medicaid spending and ended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
In 2016 voted to restrict Medicaid reimbursement for dispensing birth control at clinics associated with abortion providers.
Won the August 11 2026 Republican primary without serious opposition.
Arguments in favor
'We should end the 400-year property tax increase' and 'audit every state agency to root out fraud and waste' — a straightforward plan to give the surplus back and hold spending down.
— Tom Tiffany for Governor campaign
'Tom Tiffany is fighting to lower property taxes, protect Wisconsin land, and require health care price transparency. The choice is clear for Wisconsinites: commonsense versus crazy.'
— Kollin Crompton, Republican Governors Association communications director
He is 'a genuine, authentic guy' who is 'not slick' — 'a normal guy... raised a family... middle class' — from rural northern Wisconsin rather than from either party's professional class.
— Mark Graul, Republican consultant
Arguments against
'Congressman Tom Tiffany is an anti-abortion extremist who supported banning abortions before most women know they're pregnant' — he cosponsored the Heartbeat Protection Act and has since said he backs Wisconsin's current law instead.
— Emily Stuckey, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson
He is a 'pandering politician' with a 'MAGA agenda' who 'supported Jan. 6 rioters, voted to slash Social Security services and co-sponsored a bill to ban abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest.'
— Democratic Governors Association, in a statewide ad
By voting for H.R. 1 'he essentially voted for a $1.1 trillion cut in healthcare' — 45,000 Wisconsinites lost ACA marketplace coverage in 2026, a 16% decline, and forecasts put eventual Wisconsin coverage losses above 250,000.
— U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, with Protect Our Care and Main Street Action
What we couldn’t verify
How ending the school funding revenue authority in current law would be reconciled with his pledge to raise special education reimbursement.
Whether he would sign a further abortion restriction if the legislature passed one, given his stated support for the current 20-week law and his cosponsorship of a six-week federal ban.
Whether he would resign his House seat before the general election.
His position on Wisconsin's 1849 abortion statute litigation could not be established from a source read directly.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Open seat: Democrat Tony Evers is not seeking a third term. Roster established from Wikipedia's race page, Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Examiner, Urban Milwaukee and CNN, cross-checked. In the August 11 2026 primaries, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the Democratic nomination with about 39.8%, beating state Representative Francesca Hong by roughly half a point, after suspending his campaign in July and re-entering 24 days before the vote when Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez withdrew; U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany won the Republican nomination without serious opposition. Wisconsin elects governor and lieutenant governor separately in the primary and as a joint ticket in November: Crowley runs with Sarah Godlewski, Tiffany with David Varnam. Nobody filed in the Libertarian, Green or Constitution primaries, so the general election ballot has only the two major-party tickets; two independents, Carlos LeMar Dixon and David King, are reported to be pursuing write-in campaigns after failing to qualify.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Wisconsin ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Wisconsin Elections Commission.