Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany criticized Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley on Sunday after videos showed chaotic brawls involving teenagers at the Wisconsin State Fair. At least one police officer was reportedly punched during the incidents, which Tiffany attributed to Crowley’s leadership in Milwaukee County.
In a social media post, Tiffany wrote: ‘This is Milwaukee County under David Crowley. Crime. Chaos. At least one officer punched.’ He added, ‘Public safety starts with leadership, and Crowley’s leadership has failed Milwaukee County.’ The Wisconsin State Fair incidents occurred amid ongoing debates over data center regulation, a key issue in the gubernatorial race.
Data center policies emerge as campaign flashpoint
Both major candidates in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race—Tiffany and Crowley—have staked out positions on regulating data centers, though their approaches differ in emphasis. Neither supports a moratorium on new data center construction, a stance advocated by Crowley’s primary opponent, Francesca Hong, who lost narrowly to Crowley in the Democratic primary. Instead, Crowley has framed his approach as focusing on stringent regulation of both existing and prospective data centers.
Tiffany, meanwhile, has not publicly detailed his data center policy beyond opposing a moratorium. His campaign has instead emphasized public safety concerns, linking Crowley’s record in Milwaukee County to broader governance issues. The State Fair incidents provided a platform for Tiffany to contrast Crowley’s leadership with his own priorities.
Public opinion and policy stances on data centers
A July Marquette Law School poll found that 73% of Wisconsinites believe the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits, while 27% see greater benefits. Crowley has argued that a moratorium would not address existing data centers and has instead proposed new guardrails, including prohibiting nondisclosure agreements between data center developers and local governments, giving local communities final say on construction, and protecting consumer utility rates.
Tiffany has not publicly outlined specific data center regulations but has aligned with Crowley on some shared priorities, such as banning nondisclosure agreements and ensuring local input in development decisions. The race has highlighted how data centers and public safety are intertwined in voters’ minds, with both candidates navigating competing concerns over economic growth and community impact.
Background: Data centers in Wisconsin
Data centers, which house servers for cloud computing and AI infrastructure, have become a contentious issue in Wisconsin due to their high energy consumption, tax incentives, and local infrastructure strain. Proponents argue they drive economic development, while critics contend they impose hidden costs on taxpayers and strain local resources. Crowley’s primary opponent, Francesca Hong, had called for a one-year moratorium on new AI data centers, a position Crowley rejected as ineffective.
The State Fair incidents, while unrelated to data centers, have injected a new dimension into the campaign, with Tiffany framing Crowley’s record as emblematic of broader governance challenges. Crowley has not yet responded publicly to Tiffany’s criticism, but his campaign has previously emphasized regulatory oversight as a solution to community concerns about data centers and public safety.