Crowley, Tiffany compete for Wisconsin governor Nov. 3

Wisconsin voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to pick a new governor for the first time in 16 years.

Democrat David Crowley, 40, the Milwaukee County executive, faces Republican Tom Tiffany, 68, a U.S. representative, in a race shaped by rising costs and sharp disagreements over taxes, education and healthcare, according to Wisconsin Watch.

Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, opted not to seek a third term after announcing his retirement in 2025, Wisconsin Watch reported. The open seat drew candidates from both parties into contested primaries.

What's at stake

Wisconsin's governor signs or vetoes legislation, prepares the state budget and oversees executive agencies. The outcome will determine whether the state has divided government or one-party control, with Assembly and Senate seats also on the ballot.

A Marquette Law School Poll released Oct. 28 found 45 percent of Wisconsin voters cited inflation and the cost of living as their most important issue, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. No other issue came close.

The candidates

Crowley is serving his second term as Milwaukee County executive. He previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, according to WISN. He narrowly won the Democratic primary in August. If elected, he would become Wisconsin's first Black governor, Wisconsin Watch reported.

Tiffany has represented Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2020, Wisconsin Watch reported. He also served one term in the Assembly and was elected twice to the state Senate. He cleared the Republican primary field after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

Where they differ

Both candidates say affordability is the state's biggest challenge, but they offer different solutions, according to WPR.

Crowley's plan focuses on lowering costs for childcare, healthcare and housing through increased state spending. He has proposed a public option for BadgerCare and capping child care costs at 7 percent of household income for families with children under 5, Wisconsin Watch reported. He supported using the state's nearly $3 billion budget surplus to lower property taxes and fund public schools, WISN reported.

Tiffany's plan centers on tax cuts and deregulation. He has proposed a 10 percent income tax cut for families earning less than $150,000 a year, freezing property taxes and returning the state surplus to taxpayers, WPR reported.

"State government has plenty of money. It does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem," Tiffany told WPR.

On education, Crowley opposed expanding the statewide school voucher program but called for more public school funding, WISN reported. Tiffany has been seen by voters as the candidate more likely to reduce taxes, while Crowley leads on healthcare and education, according to the Marquette poll.

Running mates

In Wisconsin, lieutenant governor candidates run on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial nominee after the partisan primary. Voters cannot split their vote between parties for the two offices.

Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski is the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. She was elected state treasurer in 2018 and was appointed secretary of state in early 2023, according to the Wisconsin Examiner. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Republican David Varnam, a former mayor of Lancaster who served from 2016 to 2022, won the GOP primary by defeating the party-endorsed candidate, the Wisconsin Examiner reported. Wisconsin Watch described him as a stay-at-home dad who previously served as mayor.

Polling snapshot

The final Marquette Law School Poll, conducted Oct. 14-22 with 668 likely voters, found Crowley at 51 percent and Tiffany at 44 percent, with 4 percent undecided. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.7 percentage points for likely voters, and the lead fell within the margin of error for the difference between the two candidates, according to Marquette.

How to vote

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters must show a valid photo ID and can register at the polls on Election Day with proof of residency. Ballot information and polling locations are available at myvote.wi.gov.

Wisconsin counts all ballots on Election Day, but unofficial results reported on election night come from county clerks and the Associated Press, not a central state system, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Official certified results come later.