On July 1, 2026, the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance (WMCA) hosted a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum at the Oak Creek Performing Arts Center, a chance for candidates to speak directly to a community of over 70,000 Wisconsin Muslims who have too often been an afterthought in state politics.  While six candidates were scheduled to attend, two candidates cancelled shortly before the forum after receiving the list of 13 questions they would face.

In the spirit of transparency and fairness, we shared the discussion topics earlier in the week and, on the day of the forum, provided every participating candidate with the complete list of questions. This ensured each candidate had an equal opportunity to prepare thoughtful, substantive responses. The forum featured six in-depth questions and seven lightning-round questions (yes or no), covering issues ranging from IHRA and Gaza and independent redistricting. Despite this level of transparency, two candidates chose to withdraw. We were deeply disappointed that Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley withdrew just hours before the forum, while Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez withdrew after the forum had already begun.

Among our questions was a simple yes-or-no: Do you agree with the overwhelming consensus among genocide experts, that the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide?  

This question came directly from the Wisconsin Muslim community. The results of many listening sessions with our community are unambiguous: Wisconsin Muslims are not a monolith on most issues; we hold a wide range of views on economic policy, education, criminal justice, and more. But on this issue, our community speaks with a single voice. What is happening in Gaza is a genocide, and our community expects its elected leaders to say so plainly.  WMCA exists to serve as the vehicle to ensure our community gets answers and accountability on core issues. The questions asked were meant to measure the candidates’ moral clarity as they seek to lead this state: on the atrocities and genocide in Gaza and whether or not they selectively seek to restrict First Amendment rights through Wisconsin’s IHRA and anti-BDS laws.

Two campaigns withdrew, rather than respond to our forum questions. On the lightning-round issues, our community has not asked for round-about responses, but clear positions.  However, we generously offered two minutes at the end of the lightning round questions for candidates to make any clarifications.

Some campaigns have since offered private meetings in place of the public forum. Private meetings are not a substitute for public forums. Our community deserves the dignity and respect of having the questions that matter to us answered to gain our votes, in public and on the record. We cannot always have a curated version delivered behind closed doors to a select audience. Nonetheless, WMCA is still open to engage in dialogue with the two candidates who did not attend and hear their perspective as we continue to advocate on behalf of the community.  

Time and time again, we have witnessed attempts to silence the Muslim community. Silencing our community or evading discourse about issues like the genocide has serious impacts and is the backbone of the Trump Administration’s fight to suppress, detain, and deport our community members, building precedents for broad-based suppression. This is relevant for the state as a major Wisconsin leader, Salah Sarsour, is still fighting deportation proceedings as retaliation for his free speech against the atrocities in Palestine. 

Wisconsin Muslims have been an integral part of the state for generations and have demonstrated themselves as a powerful voting bloc. We are organized, engaged, and deeply connected to allied communities. We are proud members of coalitions that span racial, ethnic, and faith communities across the state.  Several questions came directly from coalitions that WMCA are part of, from independent redistricting, to 287(g) agreements and even data center accountability.  

The Wisconsin Muslim community will always ask direct questions because that is who we are and have always been. We will always stand up for justice because that is what our faith demands of us.  

Contact: Press@wmcalliance.org