Wisconsin Democrats kicked off primary campaign crunch time in Green Bay.
Three of the four Democratic candidates for governor planned campaign stops in Titletown this weekend to energize supporters and make their case to voters in the final days before the Aug. 11 primary election. And of course, at least one candidate made a campaign stop at the Green Bay Packers’ Family Night.
Kelda Roys and David Crowley on Aug. 7 made campaign stops in Lawrence and Green Bay, respectively. Francesca Hong, the frontrunner in the gubernatorial race, is expected to be in Green Bay on Aug. 8.
Former Wisconsin Secretary of State Joel Brennan is the fourth Democrat seeking the nomination in the Nov. 3 election.
On Aug. 7, Roys joined Rick Crosson, one of three Democratic 8th Congressional District candidates vying to face incumbent Rep. Tony Wied in November, for a town hall style event. Hours later, Crowley and Gov. Tony Evers held a rally-style event with union workers, while Roys went to Lambeau Field to host a Family Night tailgate.
Here’s what Roys and Crowley said in the final days of what has been a chaotic primary campaign for Democrats.
Roys, Crosson answer voter questions on wages, child care, health care at Lawrence bakery and cafe
Roys, a state senator representing the 26th district in south-central Wisconsin, told the more than 30 people at Vintage Rose Bakery she continues to build momentum and gain support in the wake of several candidates dropping out and the Democrats’ July 28 debate. Roys and Crosson both got an endorsement from former Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, who attended the event.
Roys said her experience fighting for progressive causes, track record of getting things done in Madison and broad base of support make her the candidate who can defeat Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany in November and deliver a high minimum wage, properly fund education, improve access to health care and work with Crosson to protect Americans’ rights and freedoms.
Attendees also asked the pair about what they consider a fair minimum wage ($15-per-hour to start, Roys said), how to make housing more affordable, how to fund early childhood education, the impacts of baby boomers leaving the workforce and whether Crosson would eliminate the cap on earnings taxed for Social Security, currently $184,500 per year. He said he would.
On housing, Roys said she would seek reforms to landlord and tenant rights, look at how the state uses its housing tax credits and explore statewide zoning reform to allow more types of housing, thus helping younger buyers find an initial perch on what she called the “home ownership ladder.”
Roys said she would seek federal funds to better fund early childhood education and make access a universal right, noting child care for one infant cost her family more than it spent on college tuition for two of their adult children. Roys said she would fund the state’s share of the program’s costs by legalizing and taxing marijuana, which she called “getting baked for babies.”
Crosson said he wants to represent all residents of the 8th Congressional District by focusing on residents’ common values rather than their differences. When someone asked if the candidates are concerned about the Democratic Socialists of America wing of the party and Republican criticisms, Crosson called such labels and attacks “toxic” scare tactics that shouldn’t be given any further oxygen.
“When we refocus on what we’re for, the labels become secondary,” Crosson said. He later added: “I’ve heard it all. But what are you for? Folks are too focused on the negativity.”
Crowley, Evers rally union supporters with focus on wages, executive experience
While Roys hosted a tailgate at Family Night, Crowley at the Greater Green Bay Labor Temple drew inspiration from the Packers as he energized the crowd of about 40 supporters. He argued Democrats need to stop being defined by responses to Republican actions and go on offense, sharing their vision for how to improve Wisconsinites’ lives.
“I look at politics like football: It’s a full-contact sport. And we need everybody in the game. But some people want to sit on the sideline, but just like football, that doesn’t mean you won’t get hit,” Crowley said. “Now’s the time for us to get off defense, get off our heels, and start focusing on how we lift working families up in these communities.”
Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive since 2019, said he would invest in early childhood education and make pre-kindergarten free for every child in Wisconsin. He said he’d restore state funding for education and special education. He said this would not only give schools the money they need to serve students but to also reduce property taxes by ending the frequent referendums public school districts pursue to fund education.
Crowley said he would seek to raise the minimum wage, repeal Right to Work laws and work to expand access to affordable health care.
Evers told the crowd he endorsed Crowley and urged him to return to the primary race because Crowley has the executive experience and track record needed to defeat Tiffany and continue to deliver quality services for Wisconsinites.
“At the core, he gets stuff done. It’s really simple,” Evers said.
Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: On Packers Family Night, Dem candidates blitz Green Bay pre-primary
Reporting by Jeff Bollier, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Bollier, Green Bay Press-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
