Wisconsin's 2026 gubernatorial primary will shape K-12 education for the next decade.

Keep scrolling to see where each candidate stands on the issues that shape Milwaukee's schools — public schools, public charters, private school choice, accountability, and their vision for what comes next.

CFC Action Fund will update this page as positions evolve

Where do the candidates for governor stand on your kids' schools?

This guide breaks down every declared 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate's record on K-12 education, with their own words, links to the sources, and an at-a-glance view of how each stacks up against CFC's mission.

Download the Scorecard

Where They Stand — Candidate Positioning

Private School/Parental Choice Program

Supports & Protects

Would keep choice for all current families. Tiffany would expand access.

• Tom Tiffany

Reform with New Limits

Would protect the Milwaukee/Racine programs but are open to caps or new restrictions on statewide expansion.

• Sara Rodriguez
• Joel Brennan

Would Phase Out

On record supporting "public dollars for public schools" framing and/or plans to end or phase out vouchers.

• Mandela Barnes
• Francesca Hong
• Kelda Roys

Public Charter Schools

Support Current Charters

Would keep existing public charter schools and the ability to operate them.

• Tom Tiffany
• Joel Brennan
• Sara Rodriguez

District-Only Authorizing

Would limit charter authorizing to school districts only — forcing independent public charters to be absorbed, convert to private, or close.

• Mandela Barnes
• Francesca Hong
• Kelda Roys

Eliminate Charters

No candidate is on record supporting outright elimination.

Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC)

Committed

Supports Wisconsin opting in to the federal tax credit scholarship program.

• Joel Brennan
• Tom Tiffany

Open

Supports expanding resources for families but wants to review final program guidelines before committing.

• Mandela Barnes
• Francesca Hong
• Sara Rodriguez
• Kelda Roys