Governor of Wisconsin

Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said during a debate that private election funding dubbed "Zuckerbucks" — grants from a Mark Zuckerberg-backed nonprofit that helped Wisconsin communities run elections during the pandemic — was a key reason he objected to certifying the state's 2020 results and backed Trump's bid to disqualify absentee ballots from Milwaukee and Dane counties. Democratic opponent David Crowley called the explanation inadequate, noting Tiffany alleged no actual fraud, and questioned whether Tiffany could be trusted to certify 2028 results. Tiffany pledged he would certify the 2028 election regardless of outcome. Wisconsin voters later banned private election grant funding via constitutional amendment.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said in a debate that private election grants funded by Mark Zuckerberg — dubbed "Zuckerbucks" by critics — drove his support for Trump's efforts to overturn Wisconsin's 2020 results. Tiffany also cited Milwaukee and Dane County clerks allowing "indefinitely confined" voters to skip photo ID requirements. Over 200 Wisconsin communities received roughly $10 million from the Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life during the pandemic; voters later banned such private election funding via a 2024 constitutional amendment. Democratic opponent David Crowley argued Tiffany's explanation was inadequate and questioned his trustworthiness to certify 2028 results, though Tiffany pledged he would certify regardless of outcome.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said during a debate that his 2020 objection to certifying Wisconsin's presidential election results stemmed from private election-administration grants funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, dubbed "Zuckerbucks" by critics. More than 200 Wisconsin communities received about $10 million from the Zuckerberg-backed Center for Tech and Civic Life during the pandemic. Tiffany also cited Milwaukee and Dane county clerks allowing "indefinitely confined" voters to skip photo ID for absentee ballots. He backed Trump's failed bid to disqualify 220,000 absentee ballots and voted against counting Pennsylvania and Arizona electoral votes. Democratic opponent David Crowley questioned whether Tiffany can be trusted to certify 2028 results; Tiffany said he would.

In a Wisconsin governor's race debate, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said his 2020 objections to certifying Wisconsin's election results stemmed from concerns over election funding from Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, often called "Zuckerbucks." Tiffany pointed to grants from the Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life, which sent about $10 million to more than 200 Wisconsin communities during the pandemic, and to Milwaukee and Dane county guidance letting voters claim "indefinitely confined" status to get absentee ballots without photo ID. Democratic opponent David Crowley argued Tiffany identified no actual fraud and questioned whether he would certify the 2028 results; Tiffany said he would, "regardless of who the winner is."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley launched a statewide tour blaming Republican rival Tom Tiffany for record-high diesel prices in Wisconsin, visiting a Kewaunee County farm with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Farmer Clark Riemer described 2025 as his worst farming year in 35 years, citing soaring fuel and fertilizer costs tied to geopolitical instability, including U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran that disrupted fertilizer pricing.

Crowley criticized Tiffany's House votes against resolutions to end the Iran conflict, arguing the ongoing war has driven up fuel costs and hurt farmers. Tiffany countered by attacking Crowley's record on taxes and budget shortfalls as Milwaukee County executive, framing his own platform around tax cuts to ease affordability pressures.

Wisconsin diesel prices reached $6.56 per gallon, worsened by refinery outages in Illinois and Indiana and Russian export bans following Ukrainian attacks on refineries. Both candidates support repealing the state's minimum markup law on gasoline, though industry representatives dispute claims that repeal would meaningfully lower prices, noting crude oil costs are the primary driver of pump prices.

Last weekend, a 1959 single-engine Beechcraft carrying U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. The pilot made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau; both occupants were injured but survived, swimming to safety as the plane sank.

The incident quickly spawned dueling conspiracy theories online, with some claiming Democrats sabotaged the plane to eliminate Tiffany, while others alleged Republicans staged the non-fatal crash to generate sympathy for his campaign. Academics who study political conspiracy theories, including a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire professor, note there is no evidence supporting either claim.

The episode has drawn comparisons to long-running conspiracy theories surrounding the 2002 plane crash that killed Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., his wife, daughter, and others just before Election Day, despite a National Transportation Safety Board finding of pilot error. Commentators say the Tiffany incident illustrates how quickly unverified political narratives spread following unexplained accidents involving candidates.

Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, sustained minor injuries late Saturday when the small plane he was traveling in lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport and made an emergency landing on Lake Wausau. Tiffany, 68, was returning from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner in Onalaska when the pilot warned him seconds before impact that they were going down. The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza hit the water hard; the two men forced the door open, called 911, and swam to a shallow area as the plane began sinking, waiting there until emergency responders arrived by fire department airboat.

Both men were treated at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and released; Tiffany required 12 stitches for a cut above his eye, while the pilot needed four stitches. Speaking emotionally at a Sunday news conference, Tiffany said it was "by the grace of God" they survived and thanked first responders. The FAA confirmed the aircraft had engine-related problems and is investigating; the NTSB is awaiting a damage assessment. Tiffany, endorsed by President Trump, said he will continue his campaign against Democrat David Crowley in the November 3 race, which recent polling shows as closely contested.