The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Foundation has announced the first televised general-election debate in the 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race, scheduling it for Friday, October 9th at 7 p.m.
Democratic nominee Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany will face off in the hour-long event, which continues a 36-year WBA Foundation tradition of statewide televised forums. It will be hosted by Milwaukee PBS, with radio and television stations across the state participating in the production and carrying it live or delayed.
“The WBA Foundation is honored to provide this important service to Wisconsin’s voters as part of our long history of using our debates to promote the civic and political process,” said WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind said in a news release.
Veteran broadcast journalist and WBA Hall of Fame inductee Jill Geisler will moderate. A panel of journalists from stations statewide will pose questions:
Elly Laliberte (political reporter, WISC-TV, Madison)
Kim Leadholm (anchor/reporter, WEAU-TV, Eau Claire)
Aisha Morales (morning news, safety and traffic anchor, WBAY-TV, Green Bay)
Kim Murphy (anchor, WITI-TV, Milwaukee)
Steve Resnick (president/general manager, Sunrise Broadcasting, Merrill).
A data team—Kathryn Merck (reporter, WDJT-TV, Milwaukee), Adam Roberts (reporter, 620WTMJ, Milwaukee), and Devin Willems (digital content director, WFRV-TV, Green Bay)—will provide real-time background, context, and resources online and on social media during the debate.
Joyce Garbaciak will serve as consultant to the teams. The Wisconsin Counties Association is sponsoring the event.
Early in-person voting begins Oct. 20 for the Nov. 3 election. Additional debates or forums may still be scheduled, but the WBA Foundation event is the first announced for the general-election matchup.
