BRISTOL, Wis. — On Saturday, Nov. 1, Kenosha County Eye Editor Kevin Mathewson sat down with Congressman Tom Tiffany, who is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for Wisconsin governor. The interview took place at this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner at Bristol Oaks Country Club, where Tiffany spoke candidly about his background, leadership philosophy, and priorities if elected governor.

Tiffany, who grew up on a dairy farm and worked his way through UW–River Falls, said his upbringing shaped his values of hard work and accountability. “We work hard, use common sense, and are accountable — and boy, you learn it on the farm,” he said, reflecting on his roots in rural Wisconsin.

Before entering politics, Tiffany and his wife owned and operated a Northwoods hospitality business, Wilderness Cruises, for two decades. He said that small-business experience taught him responsibility and service. “There’s nothing like owning a business to really understand accountability because the buck stops with you,” he said. “We really have been able to live the American dream.”

On the economy, Tiffany criticized Governor Tony Evers for rising costs across the state. “Under Governor Evers’ leadership, it’s just becoming more and more costly,” he said, pointing to property tax hikes, fee increases, and higher energy costs. Tiffany promised to “freeze property taxes, make energy less expensive, and roll back excessive regulations” to make Wisconsin more affordable.

When asked about making Wisconsin competitive with neighboring Illinois, Tiffany pledged to return the state to being “open for business.” He recalled that Evers’ administration took down those very signs after taking office. “He meant it,” Tiffany said. “We’re going to turn those things around … reduce regulations and taxes so Wisconsin becomes the most attractive place to build and grow.”

Tiffany also said protecting farmland would be a top priority. “Anyone affiliated with the Communist Chinese will not be buying one acre of farmland,” he vowed, adding that he wants to halt large-scale conversions of farmland into wind and solar projects. Instead, he said, Wisconsin should “embrace nuclear” energy, citing modern small modular reactors as an efficient and safe option.

The congressman emphasized Wisconsin’s outdoor heritage, saying he would oppose Evers’ proposed fee increases on hunting and fishing licenses and instead grow participation. “We’re going to get control of wolves,” he said, arguing that an overpopulation of wolves has damaged deer hunting in the Northwoods.

Public safety, Tiffany said, would be his administration’s top priority. He sharply criticized Evers’ handling of the 2020 Kenosha riots. “If I would have been governor, those riots would not have happened in Kenosha,” he said. “People should expect to have safe streets.” He pledged to support prosecutors who are tough on violent crime, “back the blue,” and eliminate sanctuary cities in Wisconsin.

Asked about his philosophy in an emergency, Tiffany was firm: “I will not wait to be asked. The governor is the leader of the state of Wisconsin … you’ve got to be accountable, and that has stayed with me my entire life.”

Tiffany said his experience at all levels of government — local, state, and federal — will serve Wisconsin well. He intends to use federal Opportunity Zone initiatives to revitalize struggling communities across the state.

As he concluded, Tiffany appealed directly to Kenosha County voters: “Tom Tiffany’s going to bring common-sense leadership to the governor’s office. You’re going to get results that make our state more free, with more opportunity and prosperity. Let’s make Wisconsin the best state in the Midwest and across America.”

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