Democratic candidate David Crowley did not appear in the post-debate spin room Wednesday night to speak with reporters after the sole televised debate in Wisconsin’s race for governor.
Republican Tom Tiffany addressed journalists in the traditional post-debate availability, while Crowley remained absent. Former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler spoke on behalf of the Crowley campaign instead.
The hourlong debate, hosted by WISN-TV at Marquette University Law School and moderated by Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan, covered taxes, school funding, abortion, transportation, election issues and affordability.
It is standard for candidates or their surrogates to appear in the spin room after debates to answer questions, offer reactions and shape media coverage of their performance. Crowley’s decision not to do so drew notice from journalists covering the event, and a representative from WISN-TV said it was just the second time ever that a candidate did not talk to reporters following one of the station’s debates.
Crowley, 40, was widely panned for his debate performance, which made his absence from the press availabilty more notable. Tiffany’s campaign called it “utterly embarassing.”
“David Crowley got crushed so badly in tonight’s debate that he refused to face the media afterward, despite his campaign saying he would BEFORE the debate,” the Tiffany campaign said on X Wednesday night. “Instead, they sent Ben Wikler out as his lapdog. Is David Crowley quitting on Wisconsin again?”
The Crowley campaign did not offer an immediate explanation for Crowley’s absence.
