🗳️ Who wants to be governor?

Who Wants To Be Wisconsin's Next Governor

Despite Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary being two months away, election season is well underway. Seven candidates are duking it out on the Democratic side, and they each made their case at the party’s annual state convention. Meanwhile only two candidates on the Republican side are competing for their party’s seat.

On today’s episode of City Cast Madison, host Bianca Martin chats with Dan Shafer, longtime Wisconsin journalist and founder of The Recombobulation Area about the latest on the race.

Later in the show, Bianca is joined by producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, who attended last week's Democratic candidate forum for the 76th Assembly District. This seat covers much of the isthmus as well as the north and east sides of Madison. All five Democratic candidates in the race were in attendance and Jade put together a transcript of the forum so you can hear for yourself where they stand on the issues.

🐘 Meet the Republican Candidates

On the republican side, Congressman Tom Tiffany is running against Andy Manske, a medical service technician. Tiffany’s website highlights how he “balanced budgets, secured our border,” and fought “coastal elites” in Washington. Andy Manske, who is 26 years old, is running as “a common man” and as part of the necessary “new generation” of leadership.

Tiffany is the presumed nominee, having earned President Donald Trump’s endorsement earlier this year. [WPR]

🦓 Meet the Democratic Candidates

With a crowded primary field, Democratic candidates are differentiating themselves in small ways after making their cases at the annual Wisconsin Democrats convention earlier this month.

Sitting Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez pitched herself as a fighter ready to face President Trump and the growing affordability crisis. State Sen. Kelda Roys also highlighted the impact of the Trump presidency and vowed to fight the administration, but specifically called for accountability for ICE officers.

Joel Brennan, the former Department of Administration secretary, focused on the state’s Republican party, pushing back specifically on former Gov. Scott Walker’s policies. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Rep. Francesca Hong were critical of AI data centers and the rising cost of living. However Barnes focused more on the Republican's role in creating the affordability crisis, whereas Hong framed the crisis as a result of the democratic party’s complacency.

Both Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Missy Hughes, former head of the state’s economic development agency, touted their problem solving chops with Hughes focusing on supporting small businesses while Crowley brought up housing. [WPR]

📅 Dates to know

Tune into WISN 12 for the democratic primary debate on July 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

You can register to vote online or by mail until July 22, and you have until Aug. 7 to register to vote in your Municipal Clerk’s Office. You can also register at your polling place on election day, Aug. 11. For more information on when, where, and how to vote, check out MyVote Wisconsin.

🏒 Five Badgers Make First Round of PWHL Draft: The draft was historic, with former Badger Caroline KK Harvey being the first defenseman to be drafted first overall to the Toronto Goldeneyes. Laila Edwards was drafted fourth to San Jose, Lacey Eden was drafted fifth to Las Vegas, Kirsten Simms was drafted eighth to Toronto, and Vivian Jungels was drafted 11th to Ottawa. [WKOW]

🤖 Data Center Rules To Come: Madison City officials gave an update on the County’s 18-month moratorium on data center development announcing they are planning on releasing zoning regulations on the controversial centers by fall. Officials cautioned that zoning can’t address all concerns with large data centers and are exploring what else they can do. [The Cap Times]

🌿 Hartmeyer-Roth Park’s Future: Members of the Ho-Chunk Nation presented evidence of hundreds of burial features in the east side park to Madison Parks Commission. While the mound has been known about for years, the designation as a large burial site can legally protect it from further development. [🔒 Wisconsin State Journal]

🎆 RIP Bucky- n- Booms: The Fourth of July fireworks event on Lake Mendota was renamed to “Stars, Stripes & Shorelines.” The event features free art activities and concerts. [WKOW]

🤫Nightclub Has To Be Quiet: Due to complaints from neighbors, the city’s Alcohol License Review Committee has recommended revoking the recently opened Cielo’s adult entertainment license. If revoked, Cielo would have to limit the volume of the music, and they could no longer have DJs. [🔒Wisconsin State Journal]