AARP Hearing Center
2026 Gubernatorial Candidates Address the Issues
Tiffany, Crowley on caregiving, retirement, fraud
Getty Images
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D) and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) are on the Nov. 3 ballot for Wisconsin governor. AARP asked both about issues for older voters. Crowley answered by phone, Tiffany in writing. Questions and answers have been edited for space and clarity.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
More than 1 million Wisconsinites are caregivers for a family member or friend. How would you ensure family caregivers have the social and financial support they need?
TIFFANY: Wisconsin has built a strong foundation to support family caregivers through programs like Family Care, IRIS, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program and our Aging and Disability Resource Centers.... I will build on these successful programs by making them easier to access, improving public awareness so families know help is available, reducing bureaucratic barriers and ensuring resources reach the people who need them most.
CROWLEY: We have to make sure that people understand what resources are available and the opportunities to get paid. All of us, we talk about expanding BadgerCare and things of that nature and making sure that people get the care that they need, but it’s also important that we increase the reimbursement rates, right?… We need to increase the reimbursement rates and let folks know that there’s opportunities for them to get paid while caring for their loved ones.
Wisconsin consumers reported losing more than $135 million to fraud in 2025. What would you do to combat fraud?
CROWLEY: Many counties are assisting many of our seniors when it comes down to scams through our Aging and Disability Resource Centers.... Local municipalities — they don’t have the resources to continue many of these programs and services and rely on the state of Wisconsin for those dollars to be allocated to make sure that we’re protecting our seniors. So we should be increasing the amount of dollars that are allocated for our ADRCs to help combat the scams — and making sure that we can do enough investigations as well.
TIFFANY: I’ve already worked on this issue in Congress by supporting the bipartisan Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, which helps state, local and tribal law enforcement investigate financial scams targeting seniors. We need to give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on fraud schemes that prey on vulnerable Wisconsinites. Anyone who targets our seniors or exploits our most vulnerable citizens should be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
About 36 percent of Wisconsin’s private sector workers lack access to a traditional pension or employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. What would you do to help workers save for retirement?
TIFFANY: For Wisconsinites to thrive and retire with confidence, the first priority is letting them keep more of what they earn. The more government takes, the less families have to save, invest and build financial security. That’s why lowering taxes isn’t just good policy, but it’s also essential to helping people prepare for retirement.
CROWLEY: We need something for those individuals. And we need to create a fund for those people to basically pay into when it comes down to saving for their own retirement. I want people to be able to have enough money.... We need to create a public infrastructure that allows for people to pay into their own retirement savings, giving them the ability to be able to extract those dollars once they get old enough so that they can actually live with dignity and age in place.
What else would you do to improve the lives of older Wisconsinites and their families?
CROWLEY: We need to make sure we’re taking care of individuals throughout the entire life spectrum. Age-friendly is not just allowing spaces for our seniors, but also spaces for our young people to develop the respect that they should have for our seniors as well.
TIFFANY: I want Wisconsin to be a state where our seniors can afford to stay, retire and enjoy the communities they’ve spent a lifetime building. After decades of hard work, no one should be forced to leave Wisconsin because of rising property taxes or skyrocketing utility bills. That’s why my agenda starts with ending the 400-year property tax hike, holding the Public Service Commission accountable for rising utility rates, and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse so taxpayer dollars are protected and programs seniors rely on remain strong.
More information on the candidates at tomtiffany.com and crowleyforwi.com.
As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, AARP does not endorse candidates or make political donations.
MORE ON VOTING
- How to vote in your state
- 5 Ways AARP Is Making Sure Your Vote Counts
- Government and Elections News for Older Americans
Join Our Fight to Make Sure Your Vote Counts
AARP is a nonpartisan organization that never supports or opposes candidates for office. We believe the right to vote is fundamental, and we advocate for policies ensuring that Americans 50 and older can exercise that right without unnecessary barriers. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Learn more about voting in your state this year.
- Pledge to vote for candidates in 2026 who will protect and strengthen Social Security and support family caregivers.
- Sign up to become an AARP activist for the latest news and alerts on issues you care about.
- AARP is your fierce defender on the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today.
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
Six Minutes, One Idea:
What Madison Voices Taught Us About Housing
The Impact of the Tosa Men's Shed
The Wauwatosa Health Dept, with funding through Bader Philanthropies, is doing just that through the Tosa Men's Shed, a program that is helping strengthen social connections and improve community well-being.
Important Election Information for Wisconsin
AARP Wisconsin provides clear, trusted, nonpartisan voter info for informed choices