Methodology — How We Assess Positions
This guide reflects publicly available candidate statements as of June 2026. Positions were compiled from candidate interviews, public forums, and official campaign materials — including PBS Wisconsin's "Here & Now" candidate series (January 2026), the April 14 Citizen Action of Wisconsin forum, the April 28 Wisconsin Partnership for Kids "Forward for Our Future" forum, the May 17 Grassroots North Shore forum, the June 2 Wisconsin Workers' Forum, the June 6 Brule Town Hall forum, candidate campaign websites, and the nonpartisan archive OnTheIssues.org.
We summarize each candidate's stated position in our own words and aim to characterize it fairly rather than advocate for or against any candidate. Where a candidate has not made a clear public statement on a given issue, we mark the entry "not specifically stated" — which indicates we did not find a documented position, not that the candidate necessarily lacks a view. Candidate positions can evolve over the course of a campaign; this guide is a snapshot, not a final word, and we update it as new statements become available.
We welcome corrections. If a candidate or campaign believes a position has been mischaracterized, contact info@cfcactionfund.org and we will review against the public record.
Fields as of the June 1 filing deadline (pending June 9 Wisconsin Elections Commission approval). Positions drawn from PBS Wisconsin’s “Here & Now” candidate interviews (January 2026), the April 14 Citizen Action of Wisconsin forum, the April 28 Wisconsin Partnership for Kids “Forward for Our Future” forum, the May 17 Grassroots North Shore forum, the June 2 Wisconsin Workers’ Forum, the June 6 Brule Town Hall forum, OnTheIssues.org, and campaign materials. “Not specifically stated” means no clear public position has been found on that exact issue — not that the candidate has no view.
Charter Authorizing — At the June 2 Workers’ Forum, Barnes, Crowley, Hong, and Roys backed limiting charter authorizing to school districts only. Per the forum source, this would force Wisconsin’s independent public charter schools to be absorbed by districts, convert to private, or close.
Surplus Deal — The Evers-GOP deal to cut taxes and boost school funding, which the State Senate killed on May 13, 2026. Missy Hughes was the only gubernatorial candidate to wholeheartedly support it.
Related — Out-of-School-Time Funding — At the April 28 “Forward for Our Future” forum, Barnes, Hong, Rodriguez, and Roys all backed dedicated state funding for afterschool programs. Rodriguez tied it to her 7%-of-income childcare cap; Hong called for an equitable, dedicated funding stream linked to violence prevention.