(The Center Square) – Tom Tiffany is not telling former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson not to run again, but he is making it clear that this is his year.
“As we saw with all the people who are supporting me, broad and deep is the support across the state of Wisconsin. There is one person that can take us to win the governorship in 2026, and that is Tom Tiffany,” Tiffany said during an interview Wednesday on News Talk 1130 WISN. “I am the person, and this is the time for Tom Tiffany.”
Reports started making the rounds this week that Thompson, who was elected as governor four times in the 1980s and 1990s, is looking to run again this week. Tiffany said he hasn’t heard anything official, but he’s heard the rumors as well.
“It’s up to Tommy Thompson, what he’s going to do,” Tiffany added. “I never say to anybody ‘You should or shouldn’t do whatever.’.”
Tiffany has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and said he has support and/or endorsements from across the state as well. The endorsement from Trump was enough to clear the field for Tiffany back in January.
“After President Trump’s endorsement, the next day Josh Schoeman who was the first in the governor race, very graciously called me,” Tiffany explained. “He said ‘I see the handwriting on the wall, and I want to support you because the most important thing is to win the governorship,’.”
Many Republicans in Wisconsin say a Thompson campaign would sap time and money that could be spent campaigning against Democrats.
Seven Democrats are running to replace Gov. Tony Evers this year. Tiffany, is so far, the only Republican.
If there is a Republican primary, voters will make their choice in August.
