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In this update:
- Governor’s Race
- Congressional Races
- Legislative Races
- Legislative Updates
- Federal Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
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Tiffany campaign - Released a new tv ad, “Preposterous,” opposing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley over the county’s inmate tablet program. The ad cites several incidents involving tablet use by inmates, including allegations of repeated contact with a domestic violence victim, threats against a law enforcement officer, witness intimidation, and claims raised during court proceedings regarding inappropriate online activity. The campaign argues that Mr. Crowley failed to address concerns after the issues became public and says the ad highlights accountability and public safety as key themes of Mr. Tiffany’s gubernatorial campaign.
Crowley campaign - Released a new tv ad highlighting Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley’s focus on affordability and cost-of-living issues. In the ad, Crowley speaks about managing household expenses, including mortgage payments, utility bills, and raising his three daughters, while emphasizing that his family daces many of the same financial pressures as other Wisconsin families. He outlines a policy agenda that includes lowering healthcare, gas, and utility costs, fully funding public schools, reducing property taxes, and expanding housing affordability. The spot is the second ad of the general election campaign.
Third-party
Anti-Tiffany - Protect Our Wisconsin, backed by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), released a new tv ad opposing Congressman Tom Tiffany’s voting record on tax and economic issues. The ad argues that Mr. Tiffany supported tax cuts benefiting high-income earners and data center operators while opposing tax relief measures aimed at working families. It also highlights rising utility costs through the story if a Wisconsin resident featured in the spot, framing affordability and household expenses as key issues in the governor’s race.
| | Pertl departs DCF; joins Crowley campaign | |
Former Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary Jeff Pertl has joined Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley’s campaign as a senior adviser after stepping down from his cabinet post last week. Mr. Pertl has served in Governor Tony Evers’ administration and worked alongside Governor Evers dating back to his tenure as state superintendent.
| Outside groups increase spending in governor’s race | Outside organizations have made several new seven-figure investments in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race as advertising and voter outreach efforts continue to expand. According to AdImpact data and state filings, the Democratic Governors Association-affiliated Protect Our Wisconsin has reserved approximately $12.2 million in advertising since the August 11th primary, while the Republican Governors Association-affiliated Right Direction Wisconsin's has reserved roughly $8.4 million. American's for Prosperity and Restoration of America PAC have reported additional multimillion-dollar investments supporting Republican nominee Tom Tiffany through digital advertising, direct mail, and canvassing efforts. | The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Foundation announced that its planned televised Wisconsin gubernatorial debate, scheduled for October 9, has been canceled after both invited candidates did not agree to participate. The foundation noted that legal requirements for broadcasting a debate require participation from multiple candidates. Since its first gubernatorial debate in 1990, the WBA Foundation has hosted a televised debate in every Wisconsin gubernatorial and U.S. Senate election cycle. | | |
Berman campaign - Democratic congressional candidate Mitchell Berman has released his first ad in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District race. The spot introduces Mr. Berman, an emergency room nurse, and highlights themes of affordability, working-class experience, and political reform. Filmed on his rural Wisconsin property, the ad emphasizes Mr. Berman’s background working through college, his career in healthcare, and his connection to outdoor traditions and Wisconsin sports culture. The 30-second spot is part of a six-figure ad campaign across tv, streaming, and digital platforms in one of the state’s most closely watched congressional races.
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New political ads were released this week for state legislative races.
The Assembly districts include:
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61st AD: This ad promotes Democratic candidate Ben Brist as focused on lowering costs for working families by fighting government corruption, preventing data centers from increasing utility rates, and taking on drug and insurance companies to reduce healthcare costs. Mr. Brist is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Bob Donovan in the 61st Assembly District. The ad is running on local TV and was paid for by the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee (ADCC).
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Also 61st AD: This ad claims Mr. Brist is a Madison political activist who supports higher taxes, favors restrictions on police, and is out of step with voters in the district, while questioning his ties to the community and suggesting he has not yet earned local voters' trust. The ad is running on local radio and was paid for by the Jobs First Coalition Political Fund.
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88th AD: This ad features Democratic candidate Brandy Tollefson discussing her son's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and claims that incumbent Republican Rep. Ben Franklin sided with special interests by voting against measures to cap insulin costs and expand access to healthcare coverage. Ms. Tollefson contends that families should be able to afford the care they need and presents healthcare affordability as a central issue in the race. Ms. Tollefson is challenging Rep. Franklin in the highly competitive Green Bay-area district. The ad was paid for by Brandy Tollefson.
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89th AD: This ad introduces Republican candidate Bobby Lindsey as a former law enforcement officer, husband, and father focused on public service rather than politics, and argues that he will address energy costs, healthcare affordability, housing, and property taxes while avoiding partisan political games. Mr. Lindsey is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Ryan Spaude in the highly competitive Green Bay-area seat. The ad is running on local TV and was paid for by Bobby Lindsey.
The Senate districts include:
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SD 17: This ad claims incumbent Republican Sen. Howard Marklein invested in Chinese corporations while opposing legislation that would have required Wisconsin to purchase more American-made products, and argues that his actions hurt American workers in favor of his own financial interests. Sen. Marklein is being challenged by Democratic candidate Jenna Jacobson in a highly competitive southwestern Wisconsin Senate race. The ad is running on local TV and was paid for by Jenna Jacobson.
| Study Committee on AI in Healthcare Recap | |
The committee’s third hearing examined the growing use of AI across Wisconsin’s healthcare system, with testimony focusing on patient privacy, consumer health data, clinical applications, and regulatory considerations. Speakers highlighted AI’s expanding role in areas such as medical documentation, imaging, scheduling, patient messaging, and care management, while emphasizing the need for human oversight and accountability in healthcare decisions.
Witnesses encouraged lawmakers to pursue a risk-based regulatory approach that distinguishes lower-risk administrative tools from higher-risk patient-facing applications. Healthcare providers, insurers, and technology developers stressed the importance of protecting sensitive health data, ensuring transparency, and avoiding regulations that could unnecessarily limit beneficial AI tools. Rural and community health providers also highlighted AI’s potential to reduce administrative burdens and improve access to care, particularly in underserved areas.
Watch September 9th coverage here.
Watch September 10th coverage here.
Read Michael Best Strategies’ Memo on the Hearing here.
| 2026 Midterms Election Insight | |
Control of Congress is on the line as Republicans work to preserve their governing trifecta and Democrats seek a path back to the majority. Democratic success will depend on expanding the map and flipping seats in Republican-leaning districts and states, while both parties increasingly focus their resources on a narrow set of battleground races that will ultimately determine control of Congress.
Read the full update here.
| | 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). | | September 18th - Coffee with the Candidate with Bryson Reyes (virtual) | | |
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
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One South Pickney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-3501
Fax: 608-283-2275
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