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In this update:
- Governor’s Race
- Congressional Races
- Legislative Races
- Other Races
- Legislative Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
| | Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany are set to debate on October 21 at 7:00 PM in a forum hosted by WISN-TV in partnerships with WisPolitics-State Affairs. The debate will take place at Marquette University Law School’s Eckstein Hall and be moderated by WISN hosts Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan. The event will be broadcast statewide on WISN and streamed online, with partner stations across Wisconsin. | | |
Tiffany Campaign - Released a new tv ad, “We’ve Paid Enough,” featuring a Milwaukee County nurse and mother who is critical of Democratic nominee David Crowley’s tax record. The ad focuses on Milwaukee County’s sales tax increase during Mr. Crowley’s tenure as county executive and argues that higher taxes have increased costs for families. The spot is the latest message highlighting Mr. Tiffany’s affordability-focused campaign agenda, which includes proposals to freeze property taxes, reduce income taxes for working families, eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime pay, return surplus funds to taxpayers, lower utility costs, and prevent future sales tax increases.
Third-party
Anti-Crowley ad - Restoration of America PAC released a new television ad in the governor's race attacking Democratic nominee David Crowley on crime and public safety. The spot opens with footage from a brawl at the Wisconsin State Fair and argues that Crowley’s leadership in Milwaukee County has contributed to increased crime and disorder. The ad cites issues including public safety, law enforcement funding, immigration policies, and homicide rates, while portraying Crowley as out of step with Wisconsin voters. The ad is airing in the Milwaukee and Green Bay media markets. Restoration of America PAC, which is aligned with businessman Dick Uihlein, has reported $7.4 million in gubernatorial race expenditures, including mail, while ad tracking firm AdImpact has recorded $3.6 million in television advertising since the primary.
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First Congressional District
Steil campaign - Released a new tv ad highlighting Representative Bryan Steil’s reelection message focused on affordability, taxes, and Social Security. The 30-second spot features supporters from Hales Corners and Burlington discussing rising costs and praising Rep. Steil’s efforts to lower taxes on tips and overtime pay while protecting Social Security benefits. Throughout the ad, Rep. Steil is shown meeting with constituents and reiterates his commitment to reducing taxes and safeguarding Social Security. The campaign has invested more than six figures across its first two tv ads, which are airing in the Madison and Milwaukee media markets. Rep. Steil is seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Mitchell Berman, an emergency room nurse from Racine County.
Third Congressional District
Cooke campaign - Released a new 30-second tv ad critical of Representative Derrick Van Orden’s record on health care. The spot features Tim of Eau Claire, who recounts suffering a stroke in 2019 and relying on regular neurological care before losing access to his doctor following the closure of Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire in 2024. Tim argues that Rep. Van Orden has accepted money from health care interests while supporting policies that would cut health care funding. Rebecca Cooke is challenging Rep. Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District race.
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New political ads were released this week for state legislative races.
The Assembly districts include:
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53rd AD: The ad claims Democratic candidate Becky Nichols used her position on the Menasha Common Council to benefit herself with taxpayer-funded home repairs and support higher government salaries. Ms. Nichols is running against David Daniels for the highly competitive Appleton-area district. The ad was paid for by the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).
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88th AD: The ad claims Democratic candidate Brandy Tollefson is aligning herself with politicians accused of raising energy costs and opposing tougher penalties for child predators. Ms. Tollefson is running against incumbent GOP Rep. Ben Franklin for the highly competitive central Brown County district. The ad was paid for by the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).
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89th AD: The ad claims incumbent Dem Assembly Rep. Ryan Spaude is weak on protecting children, highlighting votes and positions the ad claims opposed tougher penalties for traffickers and abusers, limited sex offender monitoring, and supported policies that exclude parents from decisions affecting their children. Rep. Spaude is being challenged by GOP candidate Bobby Lindsey for the highly competitive Green Bay-area seat. The ad was paid for by the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).
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Also 89th AD: This ad promotes Rep. Spaude as a former prosecutor who fought crime and is now working to lower costs for families, while claiming GOP candidate Bobby Lindsey is backed by billionaires whose policies would favor the wealthy at the expense of middle-class taxpayers and working families. The ad was paid for by the Wisconsin Accountability Project.
The Senate districts include:
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17th SD: The ad claims incumbent GOP Senator Howard Marklein accepted campaign contributions from large technology companies and then supported tax breaks for their data centers, arguing that his policies could drive up energy costs for Wisconsin families while benefiting corporate interests. Sen. Marklein is being challenged by Democratic candidate Jenna Jacobson in a highly competitive southwestern Wisconsin Senate race. The ad was paid for by New Wisconsin Majority.
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Also 17th SD: This ad promotes Democratic candidate Jenna Jacobson as a watchdog against large data center corporations, arguing that she will fight special-interest influence in Madison, ensure data centers pay their fair share of utility costs, and prevent environmental impacts such as water pollution from being passed on to Wisconsin families. The ad was paid for by Jenna Jacobson.
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21st SD: This ad introduces Republican candidate Jim Croft as a small business owner, husband, and father who understands the financial pressures facing working families and is running for the State Senate to lower the cost of living, cut property taxes, improve healthcare transparency, and make Wisconsin more affordable. Mr. Croft is challenging Democratic candidate Trevor Jung in a competitive Racine-area Wisconsin Senate race. The ad was paid for by Jim Croft.
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Also 21st SD: This ad introduces Democrat Trevor Jung as a candidate focused on helping working families by banning private equity firms from purchasing homes, requiring data centers to pay the full cost of the energy they consume, and challenging a political system that he argues favors special interests over everyday residents. The ad was paid for by Trevor Jung.
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31st SD: This ad introduces Republican Michele Magadance Skinner as a decisive leader willing to take action to address the needs of her community. She promises to “clean up” Madison if elected to the Senate. Ms. Skinner is challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Jeff Smith in a competitive Eau Claire-area race. The ad was paid for by Michele Magadance Skinner.
| Neylon files to run for county executive | |
State Representative Adam Neylon (R-Waukesha) has filed paperwork to run for Waukesha County Executive. While he has not officially launched his campaign, he has taken the initial steps toward entering the race and has not publicly commented on his plans. State Senator Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) has also filed paperwork to seek the county executive position.
| JFC Approves PFAS Funding, Law Enforcement Technology Grants | |
The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee (JFC) unanimously approved the release of nearly $10 million from the state's PFAS trust fund to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address drinking water contamination in Marinette and Peshtigo linked to PFAS contamination from a Tyco Fire Products facility. The funding stems from a June 2026 settlement between the state and Tyco over alleged violations of Wisconsin's spills law. The majority of the funds will support private well testing, deep well installation, in-home treatment systems, and ongoing maintenance for impacted residents, while additional resources will be dedicated to health information, PFAS blood testing, and community outreach. State officials described the settlement as one of Wisconsin's first major efforts to hold polluters accountable for PFAS contamination and provide long-term support to affected communities.
The committee also approved a Department of Justice request for $4 million in grants to help law enforcement agencies acquire data-sharing platforms. The program, created by legislation enacted this year, is intended to help agencies integrate data in real time, eliminate duplicate records, and improve analytics capabilities to support public safety operations. Together, the approvals advance state efforts to address environmental remediation and modernize law enforcement technology infrastructure.
| | September 11 - Coffee with the Candidate with Brandy Tollefson (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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