Wisconsin governor candidates make final push with primary 4 days away

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) — With Wisconsin's August primary just four days away, candidates for governor are making their final push for votes across the state.

Democratic candidates are rallying and canvassing as they try to convince voters they are the better and more electable choice than front-runner Francesca Hong. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany has kept a lower profile as the presumptive Republican nominee.

During one-on-one interviews with CBS 58, each candidate was asked the same question: Why should Wisconsinites vote for you?

Tiffany said he would bring strong leadership to the executive branch.

"I believe in free markets, free people, giving people more opportunity," Tiffany said. "I think the contrast is going to be very clear, and I think people want Wisconsin to be one of the best states in America, and we are going to deliver on that with real leadership."

The Democratic field remains crowded. While state Sen. Kelda Roys and Joel Brennan have been polling near the bottom of the race, both said they have the experience needed to lead the state.

Roys said she is prepared to govern immediately if elected.

"I can beat Tom Tiffany, I can govern on Day 1 and make the transformative change that we need in this state to fully fund our public schools, to raise wages and lower costs and to protect our rights and freedoms in this really pivotal moment," Roys said.

Brennan pointed to his executive leadership experience working under Gov. Tony Evers.

"Governor is an executive leadership role. My job for Governor Evers was to truly get the most out of the executive branch and to run the executive branch," Brennan said. "I did it during times of crisis, during COVID, and I made government work."

Hong has led in recent polling throughout the Democratic primary. She said her focus would be on building a government that puts people first.

"I am the candidate that is unafraid to govern by putting people first and put what is politically uncomfortable, put that ahead of what is politically convenient," Hong said.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who received an endorsement from Evers, said his leadership experience and ability to work across the aisle set him apart from the rest of the field.

"I served seven years in the state Capitol, so I know exactly how Madison works, and for the past six years, I have been leading the largest county in the state of Wisconsin, representing 19 municipalities that fall, quite frankly, everywhere on the political spectrum," Crowley said. "But we have been able to deliver for every single municipality."

You can watch each of CBS 58's one-on-one interviews with the candidates by searching for them on our website.