Wisconsin Legislators Condemned Political Advertisements
State lawmakers protested ads from a PAC linking political candidates to criminal footage.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Violence
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Wisconsin Democratic legislators recently demanded that Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany denounce Restoration for America PAC advertisements. The ads feature footage of fights from the Wisconsin State Fair to associate candidate David Crowley with criminal themes.
Why it matters
Lawmakers claim the advertisements rely on racist tropes and imagery to exploit public fear. They argue that political campaigns should prioritize substantive issues such as education, healthcare, and affordability instead of divisive tactics.
Legislators and community leaders held a formal protest outside the Wisconsin GOP office on September 19, 2026. The investigation into the origins of the PAC's imagery remains a point of contention for local officials.
The players
Tom Tiffany
He is a Republican gubernatorial candidate who publicly praised the Restoration for America PAC in Appleton.
David Crowley
He is a candidate appearing in political advertisements that utilize footage from fights at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein
They are major financial contributors to the Restoration for America PAC.
Restoration for America PAC
This political action committee funds advertisements that associate candidates with criminal imagery.
The details
The controversial advertisements utilize footage from fights at the Wisconsin State Fair and depict David Crowley alongside two unidentified Black individuals. Democratic legislators have further requested that major PAC contributors Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein cease funding these specific advertisements.
Timeline
Fights occurred at the Wisconsin State Fair in August 2026.
A protest took place outside the Wisconsin GOP office on September 19, 2026.
Tom Tiffany's campaign declined to respond to comment requests on September 19, 2026.
This report was published on September 24, 2026.
Legal Context
The controversy follows a pattern established by the 1988 Willie Horton political advertisements. These tactics mirrors past campaigns, such as when Marvin Pratt sought mayoral office in 2004, by using racially charged imagery.
The protest outside the Wisconsin GOP office serves as a warning to residents regarding the tone of upcoming local election cycles. Lawmakers hope to shift the focus of public discourse toward education and healthcare instead of fear-based messaging.
The takeaway
Voters should be aware of how political advertisements use selective imagery to influence public perception of candidates. Examining the source of campaign funding remains an essential step for residents evaluating the integrity of election messaging.
Further reading
For more information on local trends, visit Wisconsin Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRJN - Racine.
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