Madison, Wis. – More than 600 Wisconsin voters, community leaders, and media from across the state joined for two statewide virtual forums yesterday and last week to hear eight major-party gubernatorial candidates share their policy approaches to clean energy, fossil fuels, data center development, utility accountability, transportation and community resilience.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and State Sen. Kelda Roys participated in the May 11 forum. Greater Milwaukee Committee President Joel Brennan, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, State Rep. Francesca Hong and medical service technician Andy Manske participated in the May 19 forum. All major gubernatorial candidates were invited; only Tom Tiffany declined both dates.
“Wisconsin voters deserve a seat at the table with the candidates who will lead our state forward, and the strong turnout across both forums made it clear: making electric bills affordable, clean energy, and holding utility companies and data centers accountable are top of mind heading into 2026,” said Abby Novinska-Lois, Executive Director of Healthy Climate Wisconsin. “The next governor’s first term will be critical, and we need leadership ready to hit the ground running.”
Across both forums, candidates discussed how to keep electric bills down, make sure utilities are accountable to residents and small businesses and manage rapid data center expansion. Rural, suburban and urban communities across Wisconsin are already feeling the effects of climate change, including more frequent flooding, extreme heat, severe storms and higher asthma and other health consequences.
Selected quotes from each candidate are available in the attached quote sheet. Recordings of both forums can be found below:
The forums were hosted by 350 Wisconsin, Faith in Place and Healthy Climate Wisconsin, in partnership with the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin.
