Two Paths for Wisconsin’s Water: Crowley’s Action vs. Tiffany’s Rollbacks

From Local cuts to climate plans, the gubernatorial split on clean air & water is apparent.

I am deeply concerned about the lack of state and federal regulation for data centers, particularly regarding the use of PFAS in thier cooling systems. I have researched the positions of the two Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates on this pollution threat, and the contrast between them is now clear to me.

As Wisconsin faces the rapid expansion of water-intensive data centers, the 2026 gubernatorial race presents voters with a stark contrast in how the state will combat the growing threat of toxic PFAS pollution. The choice between Republican nominee Tom Tiffany and Democratic nominee David Crowley highlights two fundamentally opposing approaches to environmental stewardship and public health. Tiffany’s legislative history is defined by stripping local communities of their water protection powers, cutting scientific resources at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and earning a 0% lifetime voting score from conservation groups. In sharp contrast, Crowley has built a robust executive record centered on environmental protection, implementing a comprehensive Climate Action plan, and actively championing regional PFAS mitigation alongside stormwater infrastructure upgrades. For voters prioritizing the defense of Wisconsin’s vital water & air quality against industrial contaminants, these two platforms offer entirely different futures for the state’s environmental health and safety.

Stark contrast: Two candidates representing starkly contrasting viewpoints.

Tom Tiffany is a Republican politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district and running as the 2026 Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin. Raised on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin, he earned an agricultural degree from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Before entering state politics, Tiffany operated a river cruise business in the Northwoods and served as a town supervisor for Little Rice, Wisconsin. His legislative career began in the state government, where he served in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate from 2013 to 2020. Tiffany was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives during a May 2020 special election to represent northern and western Wisconsin, a seat he has held through consecutive re-elections.

Tiffany has served at the local, state, and federal levels of government, earning himself a 0 score in conservation

He received a 0% score on the Wisconsin Conservation Voters legislative scorecard. Representative Tom Tiffany’s legislative career is defined by a consistent rollback of environmental protections, earning him a 0% lifetime voting score from conservation groups. During his tenure as a Wisconsin state senator, Tiffany actively weakened local oversight by authoring legislative changes that stripped communities of their power to protect water quality near lakes and rivers.

His environmental policy decisions further expanded to cutting scientific resources within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and championing extractive industries. This advocacy included supporting mining projects near protected public lands, such as the Boundary Waters region. This pattern of opposing conservation continued at the federal level, where Tiffany voted against major preservation initiatives like the Great American Outdoors Act. Concurrently, his clean air and energy record aligns closely with industrial interests; he co-introduced the Fair Air Standards Act to challenge federal ozone rules and vehicle emissions testing, while consistently voting in favor of traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Consequently, his legislative history remains heavily criticized by environmental advocacy groups who view his platform as directly detrimental to public health and land preservation. I do not feel confident that Tiffany will uphold Wisconsin’s legacy towards clean air and water, much less protect us from PFAS pollution caused by data centers. Tiffany states: Strongly opposes new data centers unless major tax incentives are rolled back. He promises to protect Wisconsin farmland and utility ratepayers from rising energy costs. It isn’t believable based on his environmental rollbacks history. Tiffany referred to data centers as an “exciting new technology” in February and earlier this week said data centers are necessary to stop them from being outsourced to China.

The other candidate’s stance on clean air & water brings hope for a healthy future

David Crowley is an American politician serving as the seventh executive of Milwaukee County and the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. Born on May 14, 1986, Crowley grew up facing housing instability and financial challenges in Milwaukee’s 53206 neighborhood before attending Bay View High School and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He began his career as a youth community organizer and legislative aide, later serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 17th District from 2017 to 2020. In April 2020, Crowley made history as both the youngest person and the first African American elected as Milwaukee County Executive. After winning the Democratic gubernatorial primary in August 2026, his platform continues to prioritize affordable housing, expanded mental health and public health services, and strategic investments in public transit and local economic growth. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Ericka, and their three daughters.

During his executive tenure, he established a robust record on environmental protection by successfully driving down Milwaukee County’s operational greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 48% from a 2005 baseline. He championed and signed the county’s historic Climate Action 2050 plan to achieve complete operational carbon neutrality, a goal he advanced through fleet electrification, renewable energy adoption, and facility energy retrofits. His commitment to clean water and conservation is equally evident in his support for regional PFAS mitigation, enhanced stormwater systems, and accelerated investments to replace dangerous lead service lines. Additionally, he expanded environmental health staffing, protected local wetlands, and advanced community wellness through parkland preservation, urban forestry, and habitat rehabilitation. Woah! I can say there’s a sense of relief on the PFAS in data centers contamination front. I think he will uphold all those standards. Plus, David Crowley received an endorsement for governor from the Wisconsin Conservation Voters. His stand on data centers is the following: Advocates for a middle ground. He supports local control (allowing communities to reject projects), demands strict environmental standards, and wants developers to pay for their own energy infrastructure.

The 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial race offers voters two fundamentally distinct paths for the future of the state’s water security, particularly regarding the emerging threat of PFAS pollution from data centers. On one hand, Tom Tiffany’s legislative history reflects a consistent pattern of reducing regulatory oversight, weakening local environmental protections, and scaling back scientific resources at the DNR. On the other hand, David Crowley’s executive track record demonstrates a proactive commitment to public health and resource conservation, highlighted by measurable emissions reductions and active regional PFAS mitigation efforts. Ultimately, voters seeking an administration that prioritizes robust environmental enforcement, scientific oversight, and the safeguarding of Wisconsin’s vital water infrastructure from emerging industrial contaminants will find that David Crowley’s established platform aligns directly with those goals.

Coming this November, the choice for clean air and water for Wisconsin’s future is clear: Crowley for people over profits! (pun intended)

Tom Tiffany and David Crowley move to define themselves and how voters view their opponent in an opening salvo of campaign ads — Inside Wisconsin Politics digests the start of their race for governor.