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.

Note: This tracker reflects candidates active in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary as of publication. Sara Rodriguez suspended her campaign on July 19, 2026, and Mandela Barnes suspended his campaign on July 30, 2026.

Where They Stand — Candidate Positioning

Private School/Parental Choice Program

Supports & Protects

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

David Crowley
Tom Tiffany

Reform with New Limits

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

Joel Brennan

Would Phase Out

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

Francesca Hong
Kelda Roys

Public Charter Schools

Support Current Charters

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

Joel Brennan
David Crowley
Tom Tiffany

District-Only Authorizing

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

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
David Crowley
Tom Tiffany

Open

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

Francesca Hong
Kelda Roys

Opposed

Opposes Wisconsin's participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program.

No candidate is on record.

Joel Brennan

DEMOCRAT

David Crowley

DEMOCRAT

Francesca Hong

DEMOCRAT

Kelda Roys

DEMOCRAT

Tom Tiffany

REPUBLICAN

Methodology — How We Assess Positions

Disclaimer: CFC Action Fund is a 501(c)(4); this page reflects stated public positions, not endorsements