AGP Executive Report

Governor’s Race: Tom Tiffany and David Crowley are making a final statewide push ahead of Nov. 3. Tiffany has proposed tax cuts and returning part of Wisconsin’s $3 billion surplus; Crowley has emphasized schools, child care and health care. A proposal to end taxes on tips and overtime could reduce state revenue by $2.7 billion over a decade, while road tolls and data-center tax breaks have also become campaign issues. Election Oversight: Dane County officials dispute state guidance on whether unarmed federal agents may appear at polling places, as Wisconsin prepares for Election Day. Local Government: Wisconsin Rapids voters decide Tuesday whether to recall District 7 Alder Michael Timm, after allegations he intimidated a business over “no data centers” signs. Church and Politics: Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob apologized for joining a White House prayer meeting with President Trump, saying he expected a private discussion and did not consent to the administration’s release of photos and video.

Final Campaign Push: Gov. candidate David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany are on the road ahead of Election Day, while Bernie Sanders rallied with Rebecca Cooke in Eau Claire to boost her challenge to Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Election Oversight: Milwaukee officials are testing voting equipment, and a federal judge has barred election-related Homeland Security operations in Wisconsin and eight other states. Local Politics: Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says she won’t seek reelection, citing a toxic political culture and threats. Data Center Debate: Opposition to new projects is reshaping Wisconsin’s governor’s race, as candidates respond to concerns over power costs, water use and neighborhood impacts. Campaign Scrutiny: An ethics complaint accuses Van Orden of using an AI-generated image of Cooke.

Governor’s Race: A report alleging David Crowley agreed to leave the Democratic primary in exchange for $250,000 for his political account and a future job for his wife drew calls for answers from labor group leader Steve Cortes. The claims remain allegations. Congressional Fight: Rebecca Cooke rallied with Bernie Sanders in Eau Claire, while the Cook Political Report shifted Wisconsin’s 3rd District from toss-up to lean Democrat. An Eau Claire resident also filed an ethics complaint accusing Rep. Derrick Van Orden of using an unlabeled AI-generated image of Cooke; his campaign says it was a photograph. Election Oversight: Dane County criticized state guidance on federal agents at polling places, as Wisconsin officials prepare for Election Day and Milwaukee tests voting equipment. Madison Politics: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway dropped her reelection bid, citing a toxic political culture and harassment.

Election Readiness: Milwaukee officials publicly tested voting machines ahead of Nov. 3, adding safeguards after an August primary mistake delayed results. Wisconsin voters are also moving into in-person absentee voting. Campaign Spending: Record sums are pouring into Wisconsin races, including the governor’s contest and competitive congressional districts. In the attorney general rematch, Josh Kaul is slightly outraising Republican Eric Toney. Madison Leadership: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says she won’t seek another term, citing harassment and threats; her exit opens a major city race. State Accountability: Wisconsin’s nursing-home directory no longer lists owners, a change DHS attributes to a new data system that has drawn transparency concerns. Meanwhile, a state board heard 11 prisoners’ requests for commutations; its recommendations are nonbinding, and Gov. Tony Evers has the final say.

Voting & Election Security: Early in-person voting is underway in Wisconsin ahead of Nov. 3, with free Election Day rides offered to Kenosha County voters. Conflicting guidance from Dane County and the state elections commission has raised questions about whether unarmed ICE agents may observe polling places; federal courts have blocked election-related DHS operations in nine states. The FBI is also investigating suspicious-powder letters sent to election offices nationwide, with Wisconsin lawmakers among those receiving mail. Governor’s Race: David Crowley and Tom Tiffany clashed over affordability, election integrity and data centers in their sole debate. A review of Republicans’ $1 billion Medicaid boost finds it relies on a sharply higher hospital tax, while federal cuts are set to begin in 2028. Campaign Conduct: Berit Beck’s family is asking Attorney General Josh Kaul to condemn an ad targeting Republican AG candidate Eric Toney that uses their daughter’s 1990 murder; they say the ad’s sponsors never consulted them. Madison: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says she won’t seek reelection, citing harassment and threats.

Local Government: Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says she won’t seek reelection, citing threats and harassment and saying the price of public service has become too high. Congressional Race: Rebecca Cooke filed an ethics complaint over a Derrick Van Orden social-media post; Van Orden’s office says the image was a real photograph, not AI-generated. Governor’s Race: Republican Tom Tiffany promoted farm and school nutrition proposals as he campaigns; the race with Democrat David Crowley has also spotlighted data centers, taxes and election integrity. Janesville remains divided over a possible data center at the former GM site, with labor leaders touting jobs and opponents raising concerns about regulation and local impacts. Election Administration: Wisconsin’s November election is nearing, as a federal judge has blocked DHS election-related operations in nine states, including Wisconsin. State Policy: A report estimates that eliminating state income taxes on tips and overtime could cost Wisconsin $2.7 billion over a decade.

Madison: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says she won’t seek reelection in April, citing harassment and threats against her and her family. Election rules: A Green Bay radio host has sued to block Wisconsin’s guidance barring people who wager on election outcomes from voting in those contests, arguing it burdens his voting and speech rights. Governor’s race: David Crowley and Tom Tiffany clashed in their sole debate over affordability, taxes, data centers and election integrity; Tiffany defended his effort to challenge the 2020 results, citing private election grants. Voting oversight: A federal judge has barred the Department of Homeland Security from election-related operations in Wisconsin and eight other states. State government: Gov. Tony Evers granted 206 pardons, bringing his total to 2,443. Clean water: Evers and the DNR announced funding to help 12 communities remove more than 15,000 lead service lines.

Election Oversight: A federal judge barred DHS from conducting election-related field operations in Wisconsin and eight other states against people agents know or suspect are U.S. citizens, citing a “high likelihood of error” in the government’s data. The order runs through Election Day. Early Voting: Wisconsin’s early vote is up 65% from the 2022 midterms; Dane County has recorded more than 43,000 ballots, including over 13,000 cast in person. Governor’s Race: David Crowley and Tom Tiffany clashed in their only debate over taxes, schools, abortion and data centers, but left key questions unanswered, including specifics on tax plans and the state surplus. Power Line Dispute: Rock County supervisors voted against a proposed 190-mile transmission line, citing safety risks and obstacles for farmers. Lead Pipes: Gov. Tony Evers announced more than $102 million for 12 municipalities to replace an estimated 15,028 lead service lines.

Voting Rights: A federal judge restricted DHS field operations targeting suspected noncitizen voters in Wisconsin and eight other states, citing flawed data and the risk of intimidating eligible voters ahead of Nov. 3. Governor’s Race: David Crowley and Tom Tiffany clashed in their only debate over taxes, road tolls, education, abortion, data centers and the 2020 election. Early Voting: Wisconsin’s first day of in-person absentee voting drew 55,659 voters, outpacing previous election cycles; Milwaukee voting is underway as well. Congressional Campaigns: Bernie Sanders is set to rally with Democrat Rebecca Cooke in Eau Claire on Sunday as she challenges Rep. Derrick Van Orden in the 3rd District. Clean Water: Gov. Tony Evers announced more than $102 million for 12 Wisconsin municipalities to replace about 15,000 lead water lines.

Governor’s Race: David Crowley and Tom Tiffany used their only debate to clash over affordability, taxes, education, data centers and abortion. Tiffany also defended his 2020 election objections, citing pandemic election grants and absentee-voting rules. Voting: Wisconsin’s first day of in-person absentee voting drew 55,659 voters, ahead of previous cycles. A federal judge also blocked DHS election-related operations that could sweep up citizens in Wisconsin and eight other states. Madison Budget: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says state limits on local revenue are squeezing the city’s ability to fund services. Madison’s proposed $477.5 million 2027 budget draws $6 million from reserves and would add about $7 a month to the average homeowner’s property tax bill. Data Centers: Wisconsin Rapids rejected a proposed data center permit, while a settlement requires the DNR to review data centers’ environmental impacts statewide.

Election Watch: Wisconsin’s Nov. 3 contests are entering their final stretch, with early in-person voting underway. David Crowley and Tom Tiffany meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the only scheduled gubernatorial debate; control of the Legislature and several competitive congressional seats is also at stake. Polling Scandal: Wedgewood Polls admitted fabricating surveys that entered news coverage and polling averages, including in Wisconsin’s governor’s race, raising fresh questions about how political data is checked. Data Center Oversight: A settlement requires the DNR to review statewide environmental impacts of data centers by January 2028, with Vantage Data Centers paying for the study. Separately, a judge upheld Port Washington’s law requiring voter approval for tax-increment districts above $10 million, though an appeal remains possible. Ballot Questions: Voters will decide three proposed state constitutional amendments on Nov. 3, covering gubernatorial veto powers, worship gatherings during emergencies and government policies addressing discrimination.

Early Voting: In-person voting opened across Wisconsin Tuesday, with officials preparing for a high-stakes Nov. 3 election. Faith leaders are organizing to reassure voters and counter intimidation at polling places. Governor’s Race: Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany meet for a debate Wednesday as polls show a tight contest. Data centers are a sharp dividing line: Crowley has called for a pause during an environmental review, while Tiffany says projects should meet strict standards. Data Center Pushback: Wisconsin Rapids rejected a proposed hyperscale center and imposed a one-year moratorium; Milwaukee has also paused new development to set zoning rules. House Races: Rebecca Cooke and Rep. Derrick Van Orden sparred over affordability at an Eau Claire forum, while candidates in the open 7th District are campaigning to replace Tiffany. Election Security: Suspicious mailings to Wisconsin lawmakers, election officials and institutions remain under federal investigation; officials say they are ready for the election.

Early Voting: In-person absentee voting opened Tuesday across Wisconsin and runs through Nov. 1, with hours and locations set by local clerks. Voters need an acceptable photo ID; officials urge anyone returning a mailed ballot close to Election Day to hand-deliver it. Election Security: Wisconsin lawmakers and election officials are among recipients of suspicious mail now under investigation. Faith leaders also plan to serve as poll chaplains in Wisconsin and other states to reassure voters and deter intimidation. Governor’s Race: Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany face off in the campaign’s only scheduled debate Wednesday, with cost of living, taxes, data centers and election security on the agenda. Data Centers: A judge upheld Port Washington’s ordinance requiring public votes on large tax incentives, including those for data centers; business groups say they may appeal. State Government: Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission announced $11.5 million in clean-energy innovation grants, while Evers and the DNR launched grants to help communities protect drinking water.

Early Voting: In-person absentee voting begins statewide today, Oct. 20, ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Clerks are preparing for possible federal law-enforcement visits and applying court guidance on late-arriving ballots; Janesville says returned absentee ballots are behind 2022 levels. Election Security: The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious mail sent to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Reps. Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan, Marquette University and the Marquette Law School Poll. Similar letters were reported at both U.S. senators’ offices; initial tests at several sites found no hazardous material. State Races: Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany are competing for governor, while six Assembly districts could determine control of the Legislature. Surveillance: Wausau’s Public Health and Safety Committee voted to recommend withholding $100,000 in future Flock camera payments and exploring contract termination, amid wider scrutiny of license-plate readers. Local Decisions: A judge upheld Port Washington’s voter-approved requirement for public approval of major tax-increment projects. Separately, Wisconsin secured $218 million in federal funding to extend passenger rail from Milwaukee to Madison.

Election Watch: Wisconsin’s early in-person absentee voting starts Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The state has received 173,164 of 364,888 requested absentee ballots; ballots must reach polling places by 8 p.m. Election Day. Gov. candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley will debate Wednesday, their only face-off before the vote. Competition: Wisconsin joined the FTC and 11 other states in suing to block PlayPower’s proposed purchase of playground-equipment maker BCI Burke, arguing the deal could reduce competition and raise costs for schools, parks and other buyers. State Government: Gov. Tony Evers signed a sister-state agreement with France’s Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, Wisconsin’s first new such partnership in 36 years, targeting ties in agriculture, energy, manufacturing and health sciences. Passenger Rail: A $218 million federal grant would cover 80% of the Milwaukee-to-Madison rail project, but Wisconsin leaders would still need to provide $54.5 million for capital costs and about $2.5 million annually to operate the service. It could begin as soon as 2030.

Governor’s Race: Wisconsin’s contest remains a toss-up: a Marquette poll had David Crowley ahead of Tom Tiffany 49% to 46%, within the margin of error. With most voters sticking to their party, independents and turnout could decide the race; the candidates are set to debate Wednesday. Voting: In-person absentee voting begins Tuesday. Mail ballot returns are below their 2022 pace, and clerks urge voters to hand-deliver ballots in the final two weeks. Election officials say paper ballots and other safeguards protect the vote; federal observers may watch, but voter intimidation is illegal. Ballot Questions: Voters will decide three constitutional amendments, covering the governor’s veto power over taxes and fees, closures of places of worship during emergencies, and government preferences based on race, sex or ethnicity. Legislative Stakes: Democrats are seeking their first governing trifecta in 16 years, while large GOP donors are pouring money into legislative and statewide races.