Wisconsin governor candidates field rapid-fire questions at Pewaukee forum
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A few hundred people attended a gubernatorial candidate forum hosted by WISDOM Monday night.
Every candidate for governor was invited, including Tom Tiffany and several other independents. Notably missing was Tiffany, the candidate who the Wisconsin GOP has endorsed. During the forum, candidates for Wisconsin governor used the opportunity to pitch themselves to voters, many of whom were undecided. Some candidates received stronger reactions from the crowd than others.
Candidates answered questions about immigration, prison reform and lead pipes. Some questions were rapidly fired and required only a simple yes or no. Those questions included things like, 'Should illegal immigrants get driver’s licenses and in-state tuition?' All the Democrats on the stage answered yes. Another was, 'Should local law enforcement be prohibited from asking about immigration status during routine policing?' All the candidates on the stage said yes.
The lone Republican on the stage was Andy Manske, who will face Tom Tiffany during the primary in August.
Notably, candidates also were asked to name an issue they had with their party and explain why. David Crowley’s response got the strongest reaction from the crowd of the entire night.
“We no longer know how to be proactive and actually share vision and talk about what we want for our communities, for everybody in this country, in this state. We have forgotten how to lead, that is my biggest frustration with my party,” said Crowley, Milwaukee County executive and candidate for governor.
Most people we spoke with were leaning toward a candidate, but some issues they wanted to hear about did not get much attention.
“Prices -- gas prices, food prices, women’s rights, education, specifically public education,” Sharon Corrao, a Waukesha resident, said.
“I’d like to see some financial improvements for everyone. There are people that are having a hard time with gas and rent and food and other things, and I’d just like to see some help with that,” Holly Kelly, a Muskego resident, said.
Missy Hughes was scheduled to be on the panel but dropped out of the race before it took place. She has endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. If you would like to watch the forum in its entirety, you can do so by clicking here.