Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, met with voters on the north side of Madison Wednesday to discuss his affordability plans, and advocated for more volunteer support in the wake of Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany’s new fundraising numbers.
The event was hosted by Madison’s Northside Action Team, a volunteer-run community organization that supports progressive candidates in both Wisconsin and national elections, through canvassing and advocacy on Madison’s north side.
One of the main topics Crowley addressed was the fundraising numbers and sources for Tiffany’s campaign. Wednesday was the deadline to report campaign finance numbers for both candidates, and Crowley reported around $10 million raised in the latest cycle, with Tiffany reporting $26 million.
Roughly $24 million of Tiffany’s funds came from the Republican Party of Wisconsin, who has raised about $29 million since the beginning of July. Around 93% of those funds were donated by Wisconsin billionaires Diane Hendricks and Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein.
“Why on Earth would anyone contribute that amount of money?” Crowley said to his supporters. “Because they know that Tom Tiffany is willing to sell the state of Wisconsin.”
Crowley addressed concerns about the disparity in campaign fundraising amounts.
“No, I don’t have three billionaires who personally fund 90% of my entire campaign,” Crowley said. “It’s not just a concern for me and my campaign, it should be a concern for everybody in the state of Wisconsin.”
He also criticized Tiffany’s previous policies, saying “he’s already delivered [the billionaires] their tax breaks that folks here in Wisconsin and across the country are paying for. We have to make sure that people understand that this is Washington corruption at its worst.”
State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, who ran in the Democratic primary alongside Crowley, was also in attendance backing the nominee and advocating for more fundraising.
“Tiffany is funded by billionaires, not like David Crowley, who is supported by people all over the state of Wisconsin. This man needs your money.” Roys said.
Crowley outlined what he needed from supporters to overcome the fundraising deficit beyond an increase in campaign donations.
“I’m asking for your time. Please, if you signed up for a [campaigning] shift, add another. There’s only one thing that’s gonna trump money power, and that’s people power. We need to knock on doors, make phone calls, and host gatherings like this to bring awareness to what’s at stake,” Crowley said.
He also addressed some of the policy promises he has made during his governor campaign, particularly for affordability for Wisconsin families and students.
“We’re going to repeal Act 10 and right-to-work, we’re gonna make sure we strengthen worker protections, protect our democracy, expand BadgerCare, and make sure that all young women have access to reproductive freedom,” Crowley said.
Crowley also outlined what he can do for students in Wisconsin.
“We see how the federal government has capped student loans right now, so it’s going to be up to the state to actually step in to make sure we’re lowering tuition costs for all of our students,” Crowley said. “You shouldn't have to continue to see your tuition costs go up, just for the basic services you’re receiving at any UW system or tech college.”
Crowley drew on personal recent experiences, relating to Wisconsin students as a recent graduate from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“I just graduated college two years ago, and it didn’t even take six months for them to come after me and ask for my student loans, which were around $600 a month, almost as much as paying out of pocket,” Crowley said.“We have to do everything that we can to work with the legislature and the board of regents“to reduce the costs of higher education so you can take care of yourself and your future, and see yourself being here in Wisconsin.”
