Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) did not provide a definitive answer Friday when asked if he expected President Trump to join him on the campaign trail for the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. During an appearance on Newsmax’s “Wake-Up America,” Tiffany stated that the president’s current priorities involve the upcoming midterm convention and maintaining Republican majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.
The exchange follows an endorsement Trump gave to Tiffany in January, during which the president cited Tiffany’s past support and referenced his own 2024 victory in Wisconsin. Tiffany is seeking to replace retiring Governor Tony Evers (D), who has endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for the position. Crowley, the Democratic nominee, was sworn into his current role in May 2020 as the first Black person and youngest individual to hold that office in Milwaukee County history.
Polls and election analysis have highlighted shifts in the political landscape leading up to the election. A survey released Monday by The Economist/YouGov reported that 33 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s job performance, while 62 percent disapproved. Additionally, Sabato’s Crystal Ball recently changed its rating of the Wisconsin governor’s race from a "toss up" to favoring Democrats following Crowley’s victory in the primary.
A lack of joint appearances may signal a shift in campaign strategy for Republican voters and donors. In previous cycles, Wisconsin residents have seen significant surges in political advertising and rally schedules following such endorsements. If the focus remains on federal races as Tiffany suggested, Wisconsin small-business owners and families may see a change in the frequency and tone of political messaging compared to previous years when the presidency and governorship were closely linked in campaign efforts.
The outcome of this race will determine who manages the state’s executive branch and its multi-billion dollar budget starting in 2027. The next major milestone for the candidates is the general election in November. Until then, the primary influence of national figures remains a subject of public questioning, as seen in the Newsmax interview. The specific dates for any potential joint campaign events between Trump and Tiffany have not been reported.