Wisconsin’s two major-party candidates for governor offered voters contrasting plans on climate, health care, transgender rights and campaign finance, while finding some common ground on issues including proposed electric transmission lines and renewing a state conservation program. Democratic nominee David Crowley, Milwaukee County’s executive, and Republican nominee Tom Tiffany, a U.S. representative, discussed the issues at campaign events in Mauston and Germantown in response to questions from Wisconsin voters. The candidates are campaigning ahead of the Nov. 3 election, which could affect the balance of political power in Madison. A Marquette University Law School poll released in September indicated a close contest. The candidates’ sharpest differences emerged on climate action and transgender health care. Crowley said he would strengthen Wisconsin’s 2050 climate plan, which he argued lacks enforceable accountability, and prepare communities for worsening extreme weather. He pointed to flooding’s effects on urban areas, farms and rural communities. Tiffany emphasized disaster readiness and coordination with the federal government rather than setting out a broader climate policy. He said a governor should maintain communication with the White House to secure disaster aid, citing federal approval of assistance after flooding in New London. Federal disaster requests for Wisconsin have also been denied in recent years, including some requests following storms and flooding. Both candidates said they oppose the proposed BECI and MariBell transmission projects in their current form. The high-voltage lines would cross parts of southwestern Wisconsin, and their approval is up to the state Public Service Commission. Crowley objected to routes crossing private property and agricultural land, and argued that existing utility corridors should be used. Tiffany warned about farmland conversion and energy costs, and said regulators should protect property rights and avoid eminent domain. Their responses on transgender care were far apart. Crowley said he would not seek to limit rights or access to care, and pledged to protect LGBTQ+ people and children. Tiffany said public funding should not support gender-affirming care and called for restrictions on funding to facilities providing surgeries to minors. Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed Republican bills that would have restricted gender-affirming care for minors and imposed other limits affecting transgender people. The candidates also differed on recreational marijuana. Crowley supports legalization, citing potential tax revenue for public safety, schools and child care, along with access to an alternative to prescription medication. Tiffany called for a cautious approach, pointing to other states’ experiences and saying additional research should inform policy. His campaign supports medical marijuana under a regulated program. On campaign finance, Crowley called for reform to curb unlimited contributions to political parties, arguing that wealthy donors have too much influence. He cited roughly $24 million in support for Tiffany from three billionaire donors. Campaign finance reports covering July through September show Tiffany’s largest donor was the Republican Party of Wisconsin; nearly 95% of that party’s $29 million in donations came from GOP megadonors Diane Hendricks, Richard Uihlein and Elizabeth Uihlein. Crowley’s largest donor was the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, whose major contributors included Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Lynde Uihlein. Tiffany said he would discuss possible changes with the Legislature and seek a bipartisan effort. He criticized Democrats for their fundraising in recent Wisconsin Supreme Court races. As a state senator, Tiffany voted for a 2015 law that allowed unlimited donations to political parties; in a 2025 interview, he had described the arrangement as a “billionaire loophole.” On local services, Crowley said he would continue supporting state shared revenue for emergency services, including volunteer fire departments. He pointed to 2023’s Act 12, which changed state aid to local governments. A 2025 survey by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health found about one-third of fire chiefs said their departments could not meet annual costs. Tiffany instead proposed reviewing volunteer firefighter certification requirements, saying local officials told him training demands may discourage recruits. Both candidates said they support renewing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which expired July 1 after lawmakers failed to reauthorize it. The program, established in 1989, supports land and wetland conservation. Crowley called for fully funding it. Tiffany said the state should first address maintenance needs at existing properties before buying more land. On relations with Wisconsin’s Native Nations, Crowley said he had met with some tribal nations and would continue building government-to-government relationships. Tiffany said he would meet with tribes collectively or individually, and singled out the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians’ road-access dispute. A federal court ruled in 2025 that the tribe could not block public access to roads crossing its land amid a dispute over expired easements. Crowley also supported restoring local governments’ ability to use eminent domain for bicycle and pedestrian paths, emphasizing local control. Tiffany said eminent domain should be used rarely and voiced particular concern about converting farmland. The candidates addressed Medicaid-funded home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities as well. Crowley said people who rely on those services should continue receiving direct care, and cited expanding BadgerCare as part of sustaining health coverage. Tiffany proposed audits to identify waste and assess care quality, along with greater transparency about health care costs. Absentee voting is underway, and early in-person voting begins Oct. 20. Crowley and Tiffany are scheduled to meet in the race’s only televised debate on Oct. 21.