Wisconsin's big week in politics

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Over the past few months, you’ve heard a lot of people try to define this election as a battle between the left and the center, between progressives and the establishment, between insiders and outsiders, that narrative misses the entire point of what we’re doing,”

– David Crowley, accepting the Democratic nomination for governor Wednesday

Primary ends and general election begins

In a show of unity following a divisive and chaotic primary, Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley met for breakfast with his rival Francesca Hong and the other losing candidates, along with lieutenant governor nominee Sarah Godlewski and top Wisconsin Democrats. Baylor Spears covers the event as well as Republican nominee Tom Tiffany’s press conference where he declined to say whether he intends to dissolve the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Erik Gunn covered Tom Tiffany’s easy victory in the Republican primary, as well as the upset win by the party’s lieutenant governor nominee David Varnam, who beat party-endorsed candidate Will Martin.

Examiner reporters fanned out across the state to cover the 2026 primaries for governor, Congress and the Legislature. Isiah Holmes and Baylor Spears reported from the Francesca Hong and David Crowley campaign parties on Election Night, capturing the photo finish in the wee hours of the morning

In a reported commentary, Editor Ruth Conniff answers the question: What does Wisconsin’s chaotic Democratic primary mean for progressive politics? She interviews Robert Kraig of Citizen action and Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de la Frontera, who have advice for David Crowley about how achieve true unity and connect with the energy and enthusiasm of Francesca Hong’s supporters

Beyond the governor’s race

Deputy Editor Erik Gunn runs down all the legislative primary results in races that will help shape a general election where partisan control of both chambers is up for grabs

Gunn also covers Jay Schroeder, a self-described “authentic MAGA activist” who vows to bring election administration under control of the secretary of state, who won the Republican nomination for the office and Hmong leader Leng Xiong who won the Democratic primary for state treasurer.

Congressional races

Henry Redman was in Eau Claire as Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, riding a massive monetary advantage and support from the national Democratic party to set up a rematch after her narrow 2024 loss to Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden.

Gunn covered Mitchell Berman, an emergency room nurse, who won handily Tuesday in a three-way primary of active Democrats seeking to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, as well as Brad Smith, the Democrat who will challenge Glenn Grothman in the 6th CD and Rick Crosson, a retired U.S. Army officer and former Green Bay school board member, who will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Weid in the 8th CD.

PLUS:

Measles outbreak in Southwest Wisconsin grows; most taken ill weren’t vaccinated

Wisconsin prisons are struggling to improve mental healthcare

Complaint again filed against Winnebago County Judge Scott Woldt for misconduct

More from Washington:

Congressional approval not needed for White House ballroom, Trump tells high court

DOJ targets 3 more states in effort to axe in-state tuition for immigrants

Trump administration urges Supreme Court to rule soon on limiting vote-by-mail in midterms