Wisconsin is electing a new governor for the first time in 16 years. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers chose not to seek a third term, and voters are choosing between Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a Democrat, and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents the 7th Congressional District.
Crowley, 40, is in his second term as county executive and served two terms in the state Assembly. He narrowly won the August primary with Evers' endorsement. If elected, he would be Wisconsin's first Black governor, according to Wisconsin Watch. His campaign has focused on lowering costs, including a public option for BadgerCare and capping child care costs at 7% of household income for families with children under 5.
Tiffany, 68, has been in Congress since 2020 and previously served in both chambers of the state Legislature. He has the backing of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. His plan focuses on taxes, including freezing property taxes and a 10% income tax cut for families earning less than $150,000 a year. He has pointed to a Milwaukee County sales tax increase to argue Crowley would raise taxes.
The final Marquette University Law School poll had Crowley ahead 51% to 44% among likely voters, with 4% undecided. Crowley led independents 56% to 26%. The same poll put Trump's approval rating in Wisconsin at a record-low 37% among registered voters.
More than 693,000 Wisconsinites had voted early by Friday, ahead of the pace in 2022, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central.
Ballots are counted by state and local election officials. Raw 100.5 does not call races. Like NPR and PBS, we rely on the Associated Press, which declares a winner only when it determines a trailing candidate has no path left to win.
Sources: Associated Press, Wisconsin Watch, FOX6 Milwaukee, Marquette University Law School Poll