“We’re not going to win this race focusing on ideology alone. It’s about focusing on Wisconsin values,” David Crowley said.

“This is an election about the very soul of the state of Wisconsin. It’s about what kind of Wisconsin we’re going to leave the next generation,” Tom Tiffany said.

After more than a few twists in the lead up to the state’s Aug. 3 primary election for governor, Wisconsin voters now know the candidates running in the general election.

On the Democratic side, it will be Crowley, the Milwaukee county executive. On the Republican side, it will be Tiffany, the U.S. representative for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.

“You are the reason our common sense message is being delivered in every corner of the state of Wisconsin. Yes — and you are the reasons why we are going to turn the governorship red in November, aren’t you?” Tiffany said to a group of supporters at his election night party in Hartland.

From the moment he entered the race, Tiffany — who hails from northern Wisconsin — has been the Republican front-runner. With only nominal opposition from a relatively unknown Republican in the primary, Tiffany pulled in more than 95% of the Republican vote.

At his election night party, Tiffany thanked supporters and pinpointed his stance on issues he thinks will help him in the race.

“Taxes keep rising, and opportunity becomes harder to find. Because at the heart of this election is a fundamental difference in how we see Wisconsin’s future,” Tiffany said.

It was far more difficult for Crowley to secure his win in the Democratic primary. His path to victory was not only a stunning upset but also an unexpected comeback.

Crowley dropped out of the race in early July, but jumped back in after the campaign of Sara Rodriguez imploded and Mandela Barnes made a sudden exit. When Crowley got back into the race, he did so with an endorsement from the state’s top Democrat.

“We kind of had a secret weapon, particularly when it came down to our great governor here, Gov. Tony Evers,” Crowley said.

In every poll, Crowley was trailing democratic socialist and state Rep. Francesca Hong by double digits. But as Hong tried to weather negative press in the final days of the election, it seemed more possible that Crowley could be a true contender.

As election results rolled in late on election night and into the early morning hours, Crowley held a narrow lead and won — just barely. In all, Crowley earned 39.8% of the Democratic vote, beating Hong by half a percentage point.

At a press conference in Milwaukee on the morning of Aug. 12, Crowley thanked his supporters and spoke about what sets him apart from his Republican opponent.

“We all want safe communities, strong schools, affordable healthcare, good paying jobs, and a brighter future for all of our children. Every one of us has something much bigger to unite around, and that is keeping MAGA extremism from bringing the chaos we see in Washington into our neighborhoods right here in the state of Wisconsin,” Crowley said.

Both candidates are turning their attention toward attracting undecided voters.

“Whatever your political label — Republican, independent, politically homeless or a Democrat — there’s a place for you in the common sense movement,” Tiffany said.

“We deserve better than politicians who divide us for their own political gain. We deserve leaders who wake up every single morning asking one simple question: How can I make life better for the people we serve?” Crowley said.

With the table finally set for the Nov. 3 general election, Crowley and Tiffany have less than 90 days to make their case and prove to voters why they should take the governor’s office.