MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WBAY) – Wisconsin’s two gubernatorial candidates, Democrat and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, faced off Wednesday night in their first and only debate at Marquette University Law School.
With affordability voters’ top concern, both candidates stressed how to use the state’s projected nearly $3 billion budget surplus.
Crowley wants to use the money to help families, including schools and property taxes, and Tiffany wants to return all of the surplus through long-term tax cuts.
“We need to use this surplus to provide relief, to make it more affordable for families across the state of Wisconsin. We could use it to invest in our public schools to make sure that we reduce the property tax rate that so many people are struggling with because they have had to go to referendum after referendum because of the decisions made by Congressman Tom Tiffany,” Crowley said.
“People in Wisconsin don’t have a surplus in their bank accounts at this point. We should give it back. And we should give it back in long-term tax relief. I would rather not do it in a single check. Because people don’t plan their future based on single checks. They want to have confidence that they can have that for the future,” Tiffany said.
The candidates also differ on tackling immigration and how local law enforcement should work with ICE.
Tiffany supports requiring sheriffs to honor federal immigration detainers, while Crowley says he opposes local ICE contracts but would allow some cooperation with federal agencies.
“Here’s what I will do. I will ensure that local, county and state law enforcement coordinates with federal law enforcement and coordinates their actions. That way, when a detainer is issued by federal law enforcement indicating that an illegal alien has committed a crime, federal law enforcement can work seamlessly to remove them,” Tiffany said.
“I want to be very clear. I don’t just support a blanket ban when it comes to cooperation. We have to follow the law. And as governor, I will enforce the law. But I have certain priorities when it comes to ICE’s presence in the state of Wisconsin. First, we need to make sure there are no contracts when it comes to our local police departments and our sheriffs. We engage our local police and our sheriffs to protect our local communities,” Crowley said.
On data centers, both support local input, with Tiffany opposing subsidies while Crowley supports a pause during the environmental review.
Election day is Tuesday, November 3.
The latest Marquette University Law School poll showed the candidates were statistically tied. Crowley led with 49% saying they are likely to vote, compared to Tiffany’s 46%. The 3-point difference is within the poll’s margin of error of 4.8%.
Last month, Crowley was ahead 49% to 44%.
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