After months of teasing a run for Wisconsin governor, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is officially in the race.
The northern Wisconsin congressman launched his campaign Sept. 23. He joins two Republicans already in the primary field: Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and Whitefish Bay businessman Bill Berrien. A crowded Democratic primary is also taking shape for the 2026 election.
In a statement, Tiffany said he is “ready to lead for every corner of our state.”
“In 2026, Wisconsin will have a choice between opportunity, security, and freedom or following the path of failure seen in Minnesota and Illinois. I will not allow our state to be dragged down that woke and broke road,” Tiffany said.
Here’s what to know about Tiffany, the latest Republican to launch a run for governor:
What is Tom Tiffany’s political experience?
Tiffany has represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District — covering much of the northern half of the state — since 2020. He was first elected in a special election, replacing former congressman and current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Tiffany has been reelected by more than 20-point margins in the solidly red district.
In the House of Representatives, Tiffany sits on the Committee on Natural Resources and Committee on the Judiciary. Legislation he’s introduced recently includes ending an exception to a visa program that universities use for hard-to-fill jobs and delisting the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Tiffany has also raised concerns over Canadian wildfire smoke affecting his district.
Before Congress, Tiffany served in the state Legislature for a decade, first as a state representative and later as a state senator. Tiffany was a member of the powerful budget-writing committee in the state Capitol. Tiffany also served as a supervisor for the Town of Little Rice from 2009 to 2013.
What did Tom Tiffany do before politics?
Tiffany and his wife owned and operated a riverboat cruise business, Wilderness Cruises, for two decades. He was also a dam tender on the Willow Flowage, a reservoir in Oneida County, and managed a petroleum distribution company.
What is Tom Tiffany’s platform?
On his campaign website, Tiffany lists priorities including freezing property taxes, supporting law enforcement, holding school leaders accountable, protecting Wisconsin farmland and ending an “endless parade” of license fee increases for hunting and fishing.
Tiffany also said he would repeal the “400-year veto” Democratic Gov. Tony Evers enacted that allows schools to take in more funding through property tax increases. He also opposes curriculum related to diversity, equity and inclusion and transgender youth participating in girls’ sports or using girls’ locker rooms.
Appearing on “The Dan O’Donnell Show” to announce his bid, Tiffany said he stands by his vote in the state Legislature that banned abortion after 20 weeks — still the current law in Wisconsin — and would uphold it as governor.
In Congress, Tiffany co-sponsored legislation that would have banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy and voted against legislation that would protect the ability to access contraception.
More: Where Wisconsin Republican governor hopefuls Berrien, Schoemann and Tiffany stand on abortion
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, center, speaks with Scarlett Johnson, right, of Moms for Liberty, and Bill Brewer, left, an ambassador for the group, at the Wisconsin State Fair on Aug. 4 2025. Tiffany, who is considering a Republican run for governor, was at the fair to sign the organization’s Parent Pledge and discuss Title IX and education issues.
How old is Tom Tiffany?
Tiffany is 67.
Who is in Tom Tiffany’s family?
Tiffany and his wife, Chris, have three daughters.
Where did Tom Tiffany go to college?
Tiffany graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics.
Where is Tom Tiffany from?
Tiffany was born in Wabasha, Minnesota, according to the Wisconsin Blue Book. He grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, a small village in the western part of Wisconsin. He now lives in Hazelhurst, a town just south of Minocqua.
Does Tom Tiffany support President Trump?
Tiffany is closely aligned with Presdient Donald Trump, especially on the administration’s immigration policies. On his campaign website, Tiffany says he would ban sanctuary cities, referring to local jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with ICE.
Tiffany called the president while he was considering a run for governor. While Republican sources told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Trump declined to endorse Tiffany during the meeting, Tiffany said Trump “didn’t say anything like that to me.”
Trump’s endorsement could play a decisive role in the primary. In 2022, Trump endorsed Republican candidate Tim Michels two months before a competitive August primary.
What are Democrats saying about Tom Tiffany?
In a statement, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker referred to Tiffany as “Tariff Lover Tom.”
“Tariff Lover Tom has been jacking up prices on Wisconsin families with his blind support for a trade war that is making everything from beer to beef to school supplies way more expensive — working Wisconsin families can’t afford Tariff Lover Tom being in charge,” Remiker said. “We’re going to show Wisconsinites what a fraud he is and defeat him next November.”
In a statement, Democratic Governors Association spokeswoman Izzi Levy said Tiffany “joined the chaotic field of Republican candidates for governor of Wisconsin, guaranteeing that the nasty primary is only going to get nastier.”
When are Wisconsin’s next elections?
Mark your calendars for Feb. 17, April 7, Aug. 11 and Nov. 3, 2026 — elections are scheduled for each of those Tuesdays across Wisconsin. You can view a list of important dates on the Wisconsin Election Commission’s website.
Spring elections are for nonpartisan offices, and fall elections are for partisan ones. The August primary will include the Republican and Democratic fields for governor, and the final candidates will move on to the general election.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Tom Tiffany, Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor?