|
In this update:
- MBS Elections Hub
- Governor’s Race
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
| | |
Michael Best Strategies is pleased to announce the release of our 2026 Wisconsin Elections Hub, an Encyclopedia for all things Wisconsin elections. In the Elections Hub, you will find candidate information, as well as past partisan performance across Wisconsin’s state and federal districts. If you would like any additional information, or if you would like to find a time to discuss a Wisconsin elections-related matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies lead.
Access the Michael Best Strategies Elections Hub.
| | Democratic gubernatorial primary debate set for July 28 | | |
WISN-TV announced it will host a Democratic gubernatorial primary debate on July 28, coinciding with the start of early voting ahead of the August 11 primary.
The debate, held in partnership with WisPolitics, will include all seven Democratic candidates: former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Representative Francesca Hong, former WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, and state Senator Kelda Roys.
The event will take place on the Marquette University campus and will be moderated by WISN 12 journalists Gerron Jordan and Matt Smith.
| Gubernatorial candidates discuss their housing proposals | |
The Cap Times recently outlined housing proposals from the candidates for governor, who are set to compete in the August 11 gubernatorial primary. While the plans vary, many focus on increasing housing construction, assisting first-time homebuyers, limiting large investor purchases of single-family homes, and revisiting zoning or rental policies.
Mandela Barnes
- Proposes a tax credit and low-interest loans for first-time buyers
- Supports limiting out-of-state hedge fund purchases of homes
- Would cut permitting barriers and revise zoning laws to encourage more housing construction.
Joel Brennan
- Proposed 3% mortgages for first-time buyers and homeowners looking to downsize.
- Would expand grants, loans, and below-market mortgage options using existing housing funds.
- Supports a statewide housing compact to encourage local governments and employers to invest in housing, along with property tax relief and tax and taxes on large corporate investors.
David Crowley
- Focuses on reducing homelessness, lowering housing costs, and increasing homeownership.
- Supports zoning changes to allow more duplexes, fourplexes, and accessory dwelling units.
- Would expand down-payment assistance, strengthen eviction prevention efforts, and encourage conversion of vacant commercial buildings into housing.
Francesca Hong
- Would create a fund to help finance affordable housing construction.
- Supports establishing a state housing authority and an affordable housing zoning overlay to streamline approvals.
- Proposes renter-focused policies, including allowing local rent control, expanding tenant protections, and providing legal representation in eviction cases.
Missy Hughes
- Pledges to add 200,000 housing units during her first term.
- Supports zoning changes for “missing middle ” housing, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-use development.
- Would expand financing tools, encourage adaptive reuse of buildings, and pre-approve modular home designs to reduce costs and delays.
Sara Rodriguez
- Focuses on increasing owner-occupied housing, including starter homes, condos, and townhomes.
- Supports down-payment assistance and efforts to block private equity firms from purchasing single-family homes.
- Would streamline funding and permitting and track progress through a statewide housing dashboard.
Tom Tiffany
- Centers his plan on reducing regulations, lowering housing costs, and freezing property taxes.
- Would create a regulatory transparency office, reduce state regulations by 25%, and require periodic review of regulations.
- Also supports exploring rent-to-own pathways and limiting purchases of starter homes by out-of-state investors.
Read more about their proposals here.
| What the Candidates are talking about this week | |
With exactly 60 days to go until the August 11th Primary, here is what the candidates for governor are talking about this week:
Joel Brennan - Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan released a statewide TV advertising buy. According to the campaign, the ad is part of a six-figure buy that will run on broadcast, cable, and streaming. The ad features Mr. Brennan’s children, who highlight some of his accomplishments, including that he “built a budget surplus” while serving as DOA Secretary for Governor Tony Evers and “cleaned up Scott Walker’s mess.”
Kirk Bangstad - Minocqua Brewing Co. owner Kirk Bangstad said he plans to file a lawsuit after the Wisconsin Elections Commission unanimously determined he did not submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the gubernatorial ballot. Commission staff found Mr. Bangstad submitted 1,504 valid signatures, short of the 2,000 required. His filing was included among 67 candidates deemed ineligible, and commissioners did not separately discuss his nomination papers during the meeting.
Mandela Barnes- Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes rolled out a new policy platform called the “Wisconsin Way” that he says will “make life more affordable for Wisconsin families.” The plan includes proposals that would create a new income tax bracket for individuals making over $1 million, establish universal childcare, lower energy costs, legalize marijuana, and increase the minimum wage. He also promised to “reform” the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit, as well as restore the $15 million estate tax with an exception for small businesses and farmland.
David Crowley - Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced he would seek to repeal Wisconsin’s minimum markup law on gasoline if elected governor, arguing the policy contributes to higher fuel costs for consumers. His proposal would eliminate the markup requirement for gas and diesel while adding safeguards to prevent large retailers from undercutting small businesses. The plan comes amid recent volatility in global energy markets and renewed debate over the state’s longstanding pricing law.
Tom Tiffany - Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany launched his third TV ad titled, "Stop the Udderly Ridiculous Cost of Living," as part of a new seven-figure statewide media buy, highlighting concerns about rising costs of living. The ad features Congressman Tiffany outlining proposals to lower costs, limit corporate homeownership, protect farmland, and audit state government spending.
| New polls released in governor’s race | | |
Two new polls released this week by Upswing Research, one conducted in March and the other in May, offer a snapshot of the Democratic primary for governor. Both were commissioned by Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s campaign and an aligned organization. The May poll shows former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes leading among likely Democratic primary voters with 26%, followed by State Rep. Francesca Hong at 22% and Lt. Gov. Rodriguez at 15%. No other candidate surpassed 5%, while 18% of respondents remained undecided.
By comparison, the March poll found Barnes at 32%, Hong at 14%, and Rodriguez at 11%, with 30% of respondents undecided.
From March to May, Barnes’ support declined by 6 points, while Hong gained 8 points and Rodriguez increased by 4 points. The share of undecided voters dropped significantly, falling 12 points over the same period.
Upswing Research is not listed on Nater Silver’s pollster ratings.
| | As of 1:00 pm Friday, there have been no committee meetings scheduled for next week. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration). | | |
Friday, June 26 - Coffee with the Candidate - Becky Nichols (virtual)
Thursday, July 23 - Pre-primary event with Charles Franklin
Thursday, August 27 - Post-primary event with Charles Franklin
| | |
If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.
Have a great day,
Wisconsin GR Team
| | | | |
One South Pickney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-3501
Fax: 608-283-2275
| | | | |
