2026 Catholic Voter Guide

Wisconsin

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

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Wisconsin allows registration at the polls on Election Day with proof of residence, and photo ID is required to vote. Early voting is “in-person absentee” at your municipal clerk’s office; hours vary by municipality, and absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
Wisconsin · 2026

Governor

Open seat (Gov. Tony Evers not seeking re-election).

Download printable PDF ↓
David Crowley
Democrat · Open seat
Milwaukee County Executive since 2020 and former state Assembly member.
Campaign website ↗
Tom Tiffany
Republican · Open seat
U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 7th District since 2020 and former state senator.
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
David Crowley
Criticized Tiffany’s House votes against ending U.S. military involvement in the Iran war, saying in the debate, “They got their endless war.”
[1] Wisconsin Watch: governor debate
Tom Tiffany
Voted against House war powers resolutions to end U.S. hostilities with Iran, including in June 2026, and against the Ukraine Support Act in June 2026.
[1] House roll call 199 (H.Con.Res. 86, June 2026)[2] House roll call 207 (Ukraine Support Act)
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
David Crowley
Says he would sign a bill repealing the data center sales tax exemption and supports pausing projects during a statewide environmental review; plan pairs public infrastructure spending with union labor standards.
[1] WPR: governor debate[2] Crowley campaign plan
Tom Tiffany
Has campaigned on repealing data center tax breaks, asking, “Why would some of the wealthiest companies in the world need subsidies?” Voted against the Faster Labor Contracts Act in June 2026.
[1] Wisconsin Watch: governor debate[2] House roll call 216 (H.R. 5408)
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
David Crowley
Plan calls for expanded health care access, paid family leave, and a 7% cap on families’ out-of-pocket child care costs; pledged in the debate, “I’ll expand health care.”
[1] Crowley campaign plan[2] Wisconsin Watch: governor debate
Tom Tiffany
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law (H.R. 1). Proposes returning the projected $3 billion state surplus through income and property tax cuts, opposing one-time rebate checks.
[1] House roll call 190 (H.R. 1, July 2025)[2] WPR: governor debate
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
David Crowley
Supports amending the state constitution to protect abortion rights and says decisions “need to be made between a doctor and a patient.” Did not name a gestational limit or say whether he would repeal the 20-week ban.
[1] FOX6: where Crowley, Tiffany stand on abortion[2] Wisconsin Watch: governor debate
Tom Tiffany
Pledges to uphold Wisconsin’s current 20-week abortion limit, which he calls a “middle ground,” and would not sign a state heartbeat bill; in Congress he sponsored a federal heartbeat bill and voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
[1] FOX6: where Crowley, Tiffany stand on abortion[2] WPR: governor debate[3] House roll call 27 (H.R. 21)[4] Wisconsin Watch: Crowley, Tiffany debate (Oct. 2026)
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
David Crowley
No public position found.
Tom Tiffany
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
David Crowley
Says local law enforcement should not enter ICE detainer agreements and that ICE agents should be banned from wearing masks.
[1] WPR: governor debate
Record in office
Tom Tiffany
Would require local, county and state law enforcement to coordinate with ICE; voted for the Laken Riley Act in 2025.
[1] WPR: governor debate[2] House roll call 23 (Laken Riley Act)
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
David Crowley
Would keep the Milwaukee and statewide private-school voucher programs but opposes expanding them and wants more money directed to public schools.
[1] WPR: governor debate[2] Wisconsin Watch: governor debate
Tom Tiffany
Would keep the private-school voucher program and consider raising its income limits; joined a 2025 letter urging Gov. Evers to opt Wisconsin into the federal tax-credit scholarship program.
[1] WPR: governor debate[2] Wisconsin Watch: governor debate[3] Tiffany press release: delegation letter on scholarship program
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
David Crowley
Plan calls for investment in solar power, energy retrofits and clean infrastructure, citing a nearly 50% cut in emissions in Milwaukee County under his leadership.
[1] Crowley campaign plan
Record in office
Tom Tiffany
Urged state regulators not to close coal plants prematurely, writing that coal plants are “a backbone of baseload power, and cannot simply be replaced with intermittent generation provided by wind and solar.”
[1] Tiffany press release: letter to PSC on baseload power
Voting record
Wisconsin · 2026

U.S. House, District 1

Incumbent Bryan Steil seeking re-election.

Download printable PDF ↓
Mitchell Berman
Democrat · Challenger
Emergency room nurse and former VA nurse from Racine County.
Campaign website ↗
Bryan Steil
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2019; former aide to Speaker Paul Ryan and corporate lawyer.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Mitchell Berman
No public position found.
Bryan Steil
Voted against House war powers resolutions to end U.S. hostilities with Iran and against the Ukraine Support Act in 2026; has introduced legislation to deter Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
[1] House roll call 199 (H.Con.Res. 86, June 2026)[2] House roll call 207 (Ukraine Support Act)[3] Steil: national security
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Mitchell Berman
Endorsed by the United Auto Workers; wants data centers regulated and “paying their own way,” and says communities “ought to have a say on whether they come in or not.”
[1] Wisconsin Examiner: Democrats vie to take on Steil[2] Wisconsin Examiner: Berman wins Democratic nod
Bryan Steil
Voted against the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which passed the House in June 2026.
[1] House roll call 216 (H.R. 5408)
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Mitchell Berman
Wants to restore enhanced ACA subsidies, create a public insurance option on the ACA marketplace, and reverse Medicaid cuts in the 2025 tax-and-spending law.
[1] Wisconsin Examiner: Democrats vie to take on Steil
Bryan Steil
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law (H.R. 1). Campaign site pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare and lower prescription drug prices.
[1] House roll call 190 (H.R. 1, July 2025)[2] Steil campaign issues
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Mitchell Berman
No public position found.
Bryan Steil
Campaign site says he “supports access to IVF and is a strong supporter of life.” Voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in 2025.
[1] Steil campaign issues[2] House roll call 27 (H.R. 21)
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Mitchell Berman
No public position found.
Bryan Steil
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Mitchell Berman
No public position found.
Bryan Steil
Campaign site says “we must secure our border” and cites stopping fentanyl and human trafficking; voted for the Laken Riley Act in 2025.
[1] Steil campaign issues[2] House roll call 23 (Laken Riley Act)
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Mitchell Berman
No public position found.
Bryan Steil
Signed a 2025 letter urging Gov. Evers to opt Wisconsin into the federal tax-credit scholarship program; says parents should have “choices in education.”
[1] Tiffany press release: delegation letter on scholarship program[2] Steil: education
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Mitchell Berman
Opposes air or water pollution from data centers and supports environmental guardrails on their development.
[1] Wisconsin Examiner: Democrats vie to take on Steil
Bryan Steil
Says “we can protect our environment and protect jobs at the same time,” citing Great Lakes protection; voted for the Protecting American Energy Production Act in 2025.
[1] Steil: environment and energy[2] House roll call 35 (H.R. 26)
Voting record
Wisconsin · 2026

U.S. House, District 3

Rematch of 2024, when Derrick Van Orden won by about 3 points.

Download printable PDF ↓
Rebecca Cooke
Democrat · Challenger
Eau Claire small business owner and 2024 Democratic nominee for this seat.
Campaign website ↗
Derrick Van Orden
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2023 and retired Navy SEAL.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Rebecca Cooke
Calls for ending the Iran war, citing its cost to taxpayers and effect on fuel prices.
[1] Cooke campaign priorities
Derrick Van Orden
Voted against House war powers resolutions on Iran, calling one “a foolish, politically driven vote” that limits the commander in chief; voted against the Ukraine Support Act.
[1] Van Orden statement on War Powers Resolution[2] House roll call 199 (H.Con.Res. 86, June 2026)[3] House roll call 207 (Ukraine Support Act)
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Rebecca Cooke
Supports passing the PRO Act and project labor agreements; backs a moratorium on new hyperscale data centers and ending their tax breaks.
[1] Cooke campaign priorities
Derrick Van Orden
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act in June 2026, one of the Republicans to do so; says data centers need local consent and must cover their own grid costs and protect farmland and water.
[1] House roll call 216 (H.R. 5408)[2] Van Orden campaign issues
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Rebecca Cooke
Would reverse Medicaid and ACA cuts, expand ACA tax credits, add vision, dental and hearing to Medicare, and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
[1] Cooke campaign priorities
Derrick Van Orden
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law (H.R. 1). Supports repealing Obamacare while protecting people with preexisting conditions, and cites securing $1 billion a year for BadgerCare.
[1] House roll call 190 (H.R. 1, July 2025)[2] Van Orden campaign issues
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Rebecca Cooke
Supports restoring Roe v. Wade, continued federal funding for Planned Parenthood, and ending the Hyde Amendment.
[1] Cooke campaign priorities
Derrick Van Orden
Voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in 2025.
[1] House roll call 27 (H.R. 21)
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Rebecca Cooke
No public position found.
Derrick Van Orden
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Rebecca Cooke
Platform calls for fully funding law enforcement “to keep our communities safe and protect our borders.”
[1] Cooke campaign priorities
Derrick Van Orden
Campaign site says he “staunchly supported” President Trump’s border policies and efforts to deport criminal illegal immigrants; voted for the Laken Riley Act.
[1] Van Orden campaign issues[2] House roll call 23 (Laken Riley Act)
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Rebecca Cooke
No public position found.
Derrick Van Orden
Signed a 2025 letter urging Gov. Evers to opt Wisconsin into the federal tax-credit scholarship program.
[1] Tiffany press release: delegation letter on scholarship program
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Rebecca Cooke
Supports federal investment in wind, solar and hydro power, research on small modular nuclear reactors, PFAS cleanup, and regulating “our biggest corporate polluters.”
[1] Cooke campaign priorities
Derrick Van Orden
Backs domestic energy production, year-round E15 and biofuels, and opposes tax dollars subsidizing electric vehicle purchases.
[1] Van Orden: energy[2] House roll call 164 (H.R. 1346)
Voting record
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