2022 Wisconsin Governor Voters Guide
Tony Evers (D) vs Tim Michels (R)
The Candidates
Legal. Will veto any state law “that turns back the clock on reproductive rights.” Vetoed five anti-abortion bills that the state legislature passed. Opposes the 1849 state abortion ban triggered by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Ban. “I am against abortion.” Supports the 1849 Wisconsin abortion law, which bans all abortion except to save the mother’s life. Like that law, makes no exceptions for rape or incest. Would allow emergency contraceptive Plan B.
Yes. “We made a commitment… and we’re going to keep it.” Set a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050 and created incentives for utilities to transition to clean energy. Created a state Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy.
No position found on climate change. The Michels family companies have produced wind, solar, and energy storage projects. Also a Keystone Pipeline contractor; “My company was building [it…], but then Joe Biden canceled it, afraid to offend liberals.”
No. Vetoed legislation that would have made all children eligible to receive a taxpayer-funded private school voucher, regardless of their household income.
Vetoed a proposed law to limit what can be taught about racism. Says educators, parents, and schools can “work together to do what is best for our kids” without interference from politicians. Opposes restrictions on “teaching honest, complete facts about important historical topics like the Civil War and civil rights.”
“Parents must know if schools are focusing more on math and reading—or instead advancing a curriculum rooted in Critical Race Theory, one that…divides students as either oppressors or oppressed.” “The many Wisconsin families who reject such indoctrination need the ability to raise concerns without being shouted down.”
No. Says “maybe” the election was stolen. “There was certainly illegal ballots. How many?… I don’t know if anybody knows.” “Trump probably would be president right now if we had election integrity.”
Mostly loosen. Is “anti-big government and anti-bureaucracy,” but sees a role for government in cleaning up “forever chemicals” in the Marinette area and ensuring clean water.
Less. Would lift firearm restrictions and opposes red-flag laws. Regarding under-21 background checks, said, “It’s not the guns, it’s a cultural problem today, and a lot of it is a byproduct of the whole ‘defund the police’ movement.”
Yes. “Continues to believe in the importance of expanding BadgerCare to support Wisconsin’s workforce, farmers, and small businesses…and expand initiatives to lower health care costs.” In COVID, issued mask mandates and other orders.
No. Would reject $1.1 billion from federal government to expand the state’s Medicaid, because the government would attach a “mandate.” Opposes COVID mask mandates for school students.
Easier. Supports “worker rights, and the right to organize.” The state legislature blocked his attempts to roll back restrictions on public employees’ union rights and to repeal Wisconsin’s “Right to Work” law.
Harder. Supports the state’s “Right to Work” law, which allowing employees in a unionized workplace to not pay union dues, despite his company’s past opposition. Also says ”The iron grip of teachers unions will no longer hold Wisconsin students hostage.”
Expand. Supports legislation to protect gay marriage. Says he “will always support the LGBTQ+ community in Wisconsin.”
Limit. Opposes same-sex marriage. “Marriage should be between a man and a woman.”
Banned. “I do not support the legalization of marijuana.” Pledges to veto any bill that legalizes marijuana for any use.
Raise. “We can raise the minimum wage without impacting businesses across the state.” Since 2019 has sought to raise the wage to $15/hour.
No position found.
Signed a bill to provide police use-of-force standards and oversight, with deadly force as a last resort. Vetoed a bill cutting state funding to communities that reduce police budgets. Directed more than $100 million in federal COVID relief money to support law enforcement.
Unclear on use of force. Would “Incentivize the hiring of more police officers,” “create a RICO-like provision to investigate and prosecute riot organizers,” and reduce state aid for communities that “attempt to ‘defund the police.’”
Likely yes. Created a task force to assess causes of student debt and find long-term ways to reduce “education-related debt,” which especially hurts “students of color, low-income students, and first-generation college students.”
No. Opposes Biden’s student-loan forgiveness as “absurd.” “Hard-working people are going to pay to have the tuition forgiven for those that went to college…that made a pledge…to pay down their tuition debt.”
No. Vetoed eight fast-tracked bills that would have tightened voter ID and ballot access policies and created new Wisconsin election procedures. “As long as I’m governor” will keep fighting “anti-democracy efforts like this.”
Yes. Will ”dissolve” the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. Will ban unmanned drop boxes and pop-up polling places. Proposes a “Voter Uniformity Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution.”
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