Here & Now

Wisconsin's 2026 Primary for Governor Hits the Home Stretch

Zac Schultz:
It was just over a year ago that Governor Tony Evers announced he would not seek a third term in office. The number of candidates seeking to replace him as the Democratic nominee for governor eventually surged to seven. But today there are just four left, and after Tuesday night, the party will seek to unite behind the winner against the Republican nominee, Tom Tiffany.

Francesca Hong:
You know, I think right now we are truly in a movement moment.

Zac Schultz:
On a Wednesday night in July, there’s a packed house at the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Ozaukee County. It’s standing room only to hear from Francesca Hong, the frontrunner in the Democratic primary for governor.

Francesca Hong:
I may not be the most polished candidate. I know that there are questions about executive experience and leadership.

Zac Schultz:
A democratic socialist, Hong has served three terms in the state Assembly, not the typical resume for a gubernatorial candidate.

Francesca Hong:
I would say one of the most powerful messages that I carry with me in knowing that maybe this is time for a leader like me.

Zac Schultz:
Hong has consistently polled well ahead of the rest of the field, and her political movement is built on bringing new people into the voting booth.

Francesca Hong:
It’s imperative that we grow a coalition and the electorate for Democrats to win power and maintain power. We have to make sure that our coalition is multigenerational, multi-faith and with representing zip codes from all across the state. It’s exciting to hear folks have their plan to vote, and it’s their first time to vote.

David Crowley:
Democracy can be messy.

Zac Schultz:
David Crowley is now polling second. Just a few weeks after he was out of the race altogether. He dropped out in early July and endorsed Sara Rodriguez but then got back in after her campaign blew up a week later, this time with the endorsement of Tony Evers. The in and out maneuver is not recommended for candidates, but Crowley probably got more attention than if he was in the race the whole time.

David Crowley:
Hindsight is always 2020, right? And so, you know, trying to, you know, wonder what would have happened or how things would have unfolded if I was in this race. We don’t know. I can’t look into a crystal ball, but we did see a resurgence of energy. I mean, I think we had more people at our relaunch party that was at our launch party.

Joel Brennan:
Campaigns change in very short order.

Zac Schultz:
Joel Brennan and Kelda Roys are the last two Democrats in the race. They have consistently pulled in the low single digits and share the idea that if more people knew their names, they’d have more support.

Joel Brennan:
My challenge from the beginning has been that I am just not as well-known as other candidates, not as well known in some parts of the state. I think when people have seen and heard from me, they understand my experience, the work that I’ve done, the vision that I have, like I win over lots of those people.

Kelda Roys:
We need a candidate at the top of the ticket who will not only beat Tom Tiffany but help us deliver a Democratic Assembly and Senate. And most importantly, we need somebody who’s actually capable of doing the job of governing.

Zac Schultz:
Are we going to stop big government socialism right here in Wisconsin?

Crowd:
Yeah.

Tom Tiffany:
Yeah.

Zac Schultz:
Waiting on the other side of the primary is Tom Tiffany, a congressman from northern Wisconsin who is largely unopposed in the Republican primary.

Tom Tiffany:
My mom quilts.

Virgal Tiffany:
Hi.

Tom Tiffany:
I’ve been a dam tender, a boat captain and a girl dad with perfect attendance at 20 Nutcrackers.

Zac Schultz:
Tiffany’s record in Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature before that shows he’s a far-right conservative, but he’s spent millions introducing himself to the state as a folksy everyman.

Mike:
Tom, you know ma’s gonna hold you to it.

Tom Tiffany:
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Yeah. I mean, it was one of the goals from the start was to make sure that people got to meet me on my own terms.

Zac Schultz:
Democrats have spent their millions on their own ads but aren’t worried Tiffany has gained too much of an advantage.

Francesa Hong:
Tom Tiffany has been the frontrunner presumptive nominee for months. To still be doing intro ads is a little bit embarrassing.

Kelda Roys:
Listen, I like old Fashioneds. I’ve got four daughters and a son. I like going to The Nutcracker with them. That is not what qualifies me to be governor.

David Crowley:
We don’t have to redefine. We just have to make sure that people know who he has always been. And like my grandma used to say, you know, when someone shows you who they are the first time, you have to believe them.

Joel Brennan:
Whoever wins this primary is going to come out with wind at our back, with momentum, and then will be the time where Tom Tiffany can’t just look over his shoulder and talk about his mother. He’s going to have to look over his shoulder and talk about Donald Trump.

Zac Schultz:
After the primary, Tiffany’s ads will have an opponent to attack by name. And for his part, he says he’s not worried about which Democrat he faces.

Tom Tiffany:
There really isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the candidates. I mean, they’re very similar, and whoever comes out of the primary is going to be advocating for the same stuff.

Zac Schultz:
Reporting from Muskego, I’m Zac Schultz for “Here & Now.”