Crowley Will Campaign for Wisconsin Governor
David Crowley faces Tom Tiffany in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Elections
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Democratic nominee David Crowley is set to campaign for Wisconsin governor ahead of the election in November 2026. His opponent, Tom Tiffany, has centered his campaign on criticizing Crowley's support for local sales tax increases.
Why it matters
The gubernatorial race highlights a clash over local fiscal policy and state funding mechanisms. Crowley negotiated for sales tax hikes to address budget shortfalls, while critics like Tiffany leverage those decisions to define their opposition.
Wisconsin Act 12 permitted local sales tax hikes as part of a legislative deal to boost state funding for local governments. The revenue is specifically earmarked for transportation networks, senior meals, and courthouse security.
The players
David Crowley
He is the current Milwaukee County Executive and the Democratic nominee for the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
Tom Tiffany
He is the Republican candidate opposing David Crowley in the upcoming race for governor.
Tony Evers
He is the outgoing Governor of Wisconsin who has publicly endorsed David Crowley.
The details
David Crowley, the current Milwaukee County Executive, secured the Democratic nomination for governor by a margin of less than one percent following his return to the primary. He pursued tax increases following two decades of fiscal stagnation, a move enabled by bipartisan negotiations with Republican state legislators.
Timeline
Crowley served as a state representative from 2017 to 2020.
The Milwaukee County board approved a sales tax increase in the summer of 2023.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial election occurs in November 2026.
Political Context
Republican critics of Crowley argue that his reliance on sales tax hikes reflects a broader policy failure in local governance. They contend that shifting the tax burden to consumers harms economic growth and undermines the state's financial stability.
Voters will see the direct results of tax policy shifts in their monthly budgets and local service funding levels. The outcome of this election determines which fiscal approach the state takes toward long-term budget stability.
The takeaway
The Wisconsin gubernatorial race centers on the practical trade-offs between local tax hikes and the maintenance of essential public services. Voters should evaluate how these tax policies impact their regional transportation and safety infrastructures.
Further reading
Learn more about local races at Wisconsin Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WPR.
Live Poll
Does supporting a local sales tax increase make you trust a political candidate more or less?
