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In this update:
- Governor’s Race
- Congressional Races
- Legislative Races
- Legislative Updates
- Administration Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
| | Crowley leads in new poll | |
A new Badger Battleground poll released by Platform Communications following the August 11 gubernatorial primary found Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leading Congressman Tom Tiffany 48% to 44% in the race for Wisconsin governor. The poll marks the first public survey of the general election contest since Mr. Tiffany secured the Republican nomination. The poll was conducted August 12-13 among 500 likely general election voters using live telephone interviews. Platform Communications is unranked by Nate Silver’s Pollster Ratings.
Following the release of the poll, Mr. Crowley’s campaign highlighted its focus on engaging voters statewide and advancing priorities such as lowering costs for families, supporting public schools, and promoting economic growth. Mr. Tiffany and allied groups spent nearly $10 million during the Republican primary campaign, according to the report.
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Crowley campaign - Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley released his first statewide tv ad of the general election, introducing himself to voters and highlighting his record as Milwaukee County Executive. The ad highlights accomplishments including property tax reduction in Milwaukee Country and outlines several campaign priorities, such as creating new jobs, expanding BadgerCare, and addressing issues related to data center development and large technology companies. The spot serves as an introductory message as Mr. Crowley begins his general election campaign and seeks to contrast his vision for Wisconsin with that of Republican nominee Tom Tiffany ahead of the November election.
Tiffany campaign - Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany released a new ad focused on data center development in Wisconsin. In the spot, titled “Data Center David,” Mr. Tiffany claims Democratic nominee David Crowley supports expanding data center investment and maintaining state tax incentives for data centers projects. The ad argues that large-scale developments could impact farmland, water resources, local communities, and the electric grid, while increasing costs for taxpayers and utility customers. Mr. Tiffany also outlines a series of policy proposals, including ending tax incentives for data centers, requiring local approval for projects, protecting agricultural land, ensuring developers bear infrastructure and energy costs, increasing transparency around project proposals, and requiring projects to meet environmental standards before moving forward.
Third-party ads
Pro-Crowley, Anti-Tiffany group launches ad - Protect our Wisconsin, a group affiliated with the Democratic Governors Association, launched a new tv and digital ad targeting Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany. The ad contrasts Democratic nominee David Crowley’s affordability agenda with Mr. Tiffany’s legislative record, arguing that policies Mr. Tiffany has supported, including proposals related to Social Security, tariffs, and federal budget measures, have contributed to higher costs for Wisconsin families. The spot highlights Mr. Crowley’s proposals to lower utility bills, expand BadgerCare, reduce prescription drug costs, and provide property tax relief for working families and seniors, framing the gubernatorial contest around competing approaches to addressing cost-of-living concerns in Wisconsin.
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Van Orden campaign - Republican U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden released a new campaign ad highlighting his military service and conservative policy positions while being critical of Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke over comments regarding New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The ad, which is airing in western Wisconsin media markets, is part of the increasingly competitive race for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.
Pro-Van Orden group launches ad - The American Action Network, a Republican-aligned advocacy group, launched a new advertising campaign supporting U.S. Reps. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District and Bryan Steil in the 1st Congressional District. The group announced nearly $1 million in combined spending as part of a broader national broadcast, digital, and direct mail effort. The ad featuring Rep. Van Orden highlights his work on affordability, tax policy, and support for family farms, portraying him as an advocate for Wisconsin families ahead of his November matchup with Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke. The campaign is part of AAN’s larger issue advocacy initiative targeting congressional districts across the country through early September.
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Anti-Skinner group launches ad - New Wisconsin Majority launched a digital ad targeting Republican 31st Senate District candidate Michele Magadance Skinner as part of a six-figure digital ad campaign running across multiple online platforms. The ad focuses on Ms. Skinner’s residency and business background, arguing she has spent significant time outside Wisconsin, including Florida and Georgia, while being critical of her positions on taxes and health care costs. The spot seeks to portray Ms. Skinner as disconnected from Wisconsin voters and frames the race around affordability and representation issues in the district
| Wisconsin Legislature Launches Cryptocurrency Study Committee | |
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Legislative Council Study Committee on Cryptocurrency held its first meeting, beginning a review of how state law should address the rapidly evolving digital asset marketplace. The bipartisan committee includes legislators and public members with expertise in financial services, technology, law, and consumer protection.
Committee staff outlined the group’s primary charge: examining whether cryptocurrency staking services should be regulated under Wisconsin securities law and identifying any additional policy changes needed to support innovation while protecting consumers. Members also received an overview of recent state and federal activity, including Wisconsin’s new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks and recent congressional action establishing a federal framework for stablecoins.
The committee heard introductory testimony from UW Law School Clinical Professor Jeffrey Glazer, who provided a primer on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Mr. Glazer emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying technology before considering policy recommendations, describing blockchain as a decentralized and secure public ledger. He also highlighted the industry's ongoing efforts to balance innovation, security, and consumer protection.
Several committee members noted concerns about cryptocurrency-related fraud and scams, particularly those impacting seniors and inexperienced investors, signaling that consumer education and protections will likely be a recurring theme throughout the committee’s work.
The study committee will continue meeting throughout the interim and is expected to develop recommendations for potential legislation during the next legislative session.
Watch the full hearing.
| Board of Regents approves UW System budget request | |
The Board of Regents approved the UW System’s budget proposal for the 2027-29 biennium requesting $730 million in state aid, as well as a two-year tuition freeze. The request includes:
- $240 million for entrepreneurship, workforce and business development, and student support services
- $190 million to fund a two year tuition freeze for Wisconsin residents, and maintain tuition costs under inflation for the following two years
- $90 million to train 35,000 new healthcare workers
- $45 million to improve UW System’s artificial intelligence capabilities
- $35 million to raise pay for certain university employee classes including lecturers, instructors, campus police, and custodians.
- $25 million for research into cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other devastating diseases
The UW System’s budget request will be submitted to the Governor along with other agency requests on September 15th. A summary of the agency requests, as well as a revenue forecast will be released by DOA on November 20th.
Read the full UW System budget request.
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August 27 - Post-primary event with Marquette Law Pollster Charles Franklin
August 28 - Coffee with the Candidate with Dan Bukiewicz - (virtual)
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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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