Americans for Prosperity, a group that promotes fiscal conservatism, is launching a $1.5 million ad campaign in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race to attack the Democratic nominee’s record on taxes.
“David Crowley has one answer for Wisconsin’s problems: Raise your taxes,” says an ad the group plans to air this week.
Mr. Crowley, the executive of Milwaukee County, narrowly won the Democratic nomination in August.
“As county executive, he pushed a sales tax hike. Then, he supported a 400-year property tax hike, locking in higher costs for families,” the ad continues. “Now, he’s calling for new taxes on top of that.”
AFP supports Republican Rep. Thomas Tiffany’s gubernatorial bid.
“Tom Tiffany’s plan? Lower taxes and lower energy bills for hard-working Wisconsinites,” the ad says. “Wisconsin can’t afford David Crowley’s tax hikes. Vote Tom Tiffany for governor.”
AFP’s Wisconsin Director Megan Novak said in a statement to The Washington Times, “The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher, and AFP-WI’s dedicated grassroots activists have knocked on more than 700,000 doors this cycle, and we’re continuing to build momentum every day through Election Day.”
She cited Mr. Tiffany’s commitment to “lowering costs and taxes” in the state Legislature and in Congress as the reason for AFP’s support.
The group will spend $1.5 million on the ad campaign this month, which includes three separate ads featuring testimonials from Wisconsin residents who support Mr. Tiffany. So far, AFP has spent more than $5 million to support Mr. Tiffany, the group said.
Reached for comment, Mr. Crowley’s campaign rejected the claim that he supports higher taxes.
“David Crowley worked with Republicans and Democrats to balance budgets, deliver surpluses, make housing more affordable, and pass the largest property tax cut in Milwaukee County history,” a campaign spokesperson said in a statement.
The spokesperson said Mr. Tiffany “has given away massive tax breaks for tech billionaires while slashing healthcare funding, and has been making life unaffordable for Wisconsinites by voting for MAGA policies that raise the cost of gas and groceries.”
Mr. Tiffany’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the Crowley campaign’s claims.
Founded in 2004, AFP has long been active in Wisconsin politics and supported Scott Walker, the state’s last Republican governor.
The Cook Political Report, an election forecaster, rates Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race a toss-up.
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