All five Democratic candidates discuss data centers at Milwaukee town hall, trade few jabs
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The five Democratic candidates for governor shared a stage again Wednesday night, July 29, to discuss data centers.
The informal town hall focused largely on the impact data centers are having on the state's economy and environment.
David Crowley
But the candidates also touched on a handful of other issues.
With the clock ticking toward Election Day and poll numbers beginning to crystallize, many of the candidates are running out of time to make a move in the race.
Data centers dominated the conversation, but the candidates also discussed overall electability, the contentious nature of the primary and presumptive Republican nominee Tom Tiffany.
After receiving more good news earlier in the day — that her lead atop the polls had widened — frontrunner Francesca Hong did not have to fend off attacks during Wednesday night's forum.
That allowed her to focus on data centers and her legislation calling for a moratorium on their construction.
“We need the time to actually bring those folks to the table,” Hong said, “to make sure statutes are in place to help protect local governments.”
Mandela Barnes and David Crowley, who are polling second and third, did not take many direct shots at their opponents. But for the second consecutive night, they targeted each other in a few exchanges.
After Barnes said he is the only candidate who wants to freeze utility rates, Crowley responded, “By freezing the rates, you’re basically saying that we’re going to burn more coal. And there’s only one other candidate that says we’re going to do that, which is Tom Tiffany.”
Barnes fired back, “You would be against freezing the rates because you’re getting money from the utility companies.”
Toward the end of the forum, all five candidates were asked whether everyone on stage could defeat Tiffany.
All agreed, including Joel Brennan and Kelda Roys, who continue to trail in the polls.
But Brennan argued Democrats should shift their focus to Tiffany instead of one another.
“If we’re defending our candidate, then we can lose,” Brennan said. “Then there are challenges to us winning and the stakes are so high.”
Roys warned about Republican money helping Hong's campaign. She also expressed concern about Republican control of the state Legislature.
“Republicans didn’t just drop $3.5 million to try to influence this primary and buy the candidate,” Roys said. “They feel the most confident that they could be. They also were spending $16 million to try to get a Republican trifecta.”
Kelda Roys
After the onstage portion of the event, each candidate moved to designated areas on the floor to speak one-on-one with audience members and answer questions.
The town hall was organized by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Tom Tiffany was invited to participate but declined.