(The Center Square) – The latest ads in Wisconsin’s race for governor are zeroing in on what is expected to be the biggest issue in November’s election.
Three candidates released new ads this week.
Democrat Joel Brennan released a statewide televisoon ad that both introduces himself and frames him as the experienced candidate in the Democrat race.
“I’m Joel Brennan and I’ve got real plans to move Wisconsin forward,” Brennan said during the ad where he’s playing basketball with his son. “Shooting to expand BadgerCare to make healthcare more affordable. Guarding against Trump’s chaos and defending our democracy. Blocking corporations from buying-up our homes. And changing how our schools are funded.”
The ad is Brennan’s second campaign commercial.
Brennan is polling at the bottom of the now six person race for the Democrat nomination. Former WEDC boss Missy Hughes quit the race on Monday.
Hughes, who like Brennan polled in the single digits, said she didn’t see a path to victory.
The second ad came from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. His commercial features him inside a screen on a gas pump and reiterates his push to end Wisconsin’s minimum-markup law.
“It’s called the Unfair Sales Act, but all it does is unfairly raise prices on us,” Crowley explained. “As governor, I’ll stop it. That’s something we can all get pumped about.”
Crowley has already said he wants to end minimum-markup and save drivers in the state nearly 40 cents per gallon. But critics have been quick to say Crowley could not end the law on his own and point out that he never introduced legislation to end minimum-markup while he was a state lawmaker.
The final ad came from Republican Tom Tiffany.
It is a 60 second radio ad that focuses his message on schools, healthcare price transparency and affordability.
“It’s time we stop pointing fingers, and start fixing problems,” the ad begins. “I’ve watched Madison continue to fail working folks who see money vanish from their paychecks. Wasted on reckless spending and fraud.”
The ad is more serious and focused than Tiffany’s earlier campaign commercials, including his last two that both featured cows.
Tiffany is the only Republican candidate running for governor this year.
Frontrunner Francesca Hong has not yet released a statewide commercial for her campaign, but rising third place candidate Sara Rodriguez has.
