Inside Wisconsin Politics
Inside Wisconsin Politics is a weekly conversation and podcast from WPR and PBS Wisconsin. It features WPR Capitol Bureau Chief Shawn Johnson, PBS Wisconsin Senior Political Reporter Zac Schultz, and WPR's Anya van Wagtendonk and Rich Kremer. They break down what happened at the State Capitol, what it means, and why it matters.
Episodes
Wisconsin’s 2026 campaign ads and big national endorsements
Ads for and against Tom Tiffany and David Crowley flood the airwaves and streamers, and national figures make endorsements — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at the races for governor and […]
Shifting fortunes in Wisconsin’s tight 2026 governor’s race
Polls show more voters are picking sides in the race for governor while billionaire donors define the fundraising contest — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers the campaigns a month from Election […]
Republican mega-donors, gas costs and fighting ‘corruption’
Mega-donors fund Republican candidates, gas prices cause growing economic pain, and corruption emerges as an issue — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at how each development impacts the 2026 election.
Mail-in ballots, redistricting and a race in Wisconsin’s 1st
The U.S. Supreme Court maintains mail-in voting, the state Supreme Court considers redistricting and there’s a race for the 1st Congressional District — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines each issue.
GOP convention, decline of debates, ballot lawsuit
Republicans try to fire up the base with a rare midterm convention. Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at why some Wisconsin Republicans joined the party while others stayed home.
Flock cameras, election administration and Great Lakes names
Flock surveillance cameras become an issue, feds probe alleged noncitizen voting, and presidential place name proclamations — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers impacts on the 2026 governor’s race.
Mail-in voting, commutations and crime, politics of tariffs
The Trump administration proceeds with mail-in voting limits, the Commutations Advisory Board meets and tariffs reemerge as an issue — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers impacts on the 2026 vote.
Crowley, Tiffany and why data centers are a major 2026 issue
Tom Tiffany and David Crowley move to define themselves and how voters view their opponent in an opening salvo of campaign ads — Inside Wisconsin Politics digests the start of […]
How Crowley won Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor
Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley pulled off a comeback win in the primary and will face Republican Tom Tiffany — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks ahead to the 2026 general […]
National attention turns to Wisconsin’s 2026 governor’s race
A nationwide showdown among establishment and insurgent candidates is defining the Democratic Party in 2026 — Inside Wisconsin Politics explores how this clash is playing out in the race for […]
Wisconsin’s 2026 primary for governor gets shaken up again
Four candidates remain in the topsy-turvy 2026 Democratic primary for governor as Mandela Barnes ends his campaign — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers the state of the race in its closing […]
Chaos in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary race for governor
David Crowley re-entered the 2026 Democratic primary for governor and received an endorsement by Gov. Tony Evers — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines shifts in the campaign and what polls are […]
Sara Rodriguez’s money woes shake up the race for governor
Fallout from Democratic candidate for governor Sara Rodriguez firing her campaign manager over accounting may transform the 2026 primary — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at the state of the race.
Candidate lanes, campaign ads, ‘F-bombs’ and the 2026 race
The Democratic field for governor gets tighter, campaign ads roll out in primary races, and Vice President JD Vance visits Milwaukee — Inside Wisconsin Politics takes the temperature of the […]
Sparks fly in Wisconsin’s 2026 Democratic governor primary
Candidates seek to set themselves apart from the pack with attacks and provocative podcast appearances — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at the 2026 race for the Democratic governor nomination.
How socialism is affecting Wisconsin’s Democratic primaries
Wisconsin Democrats are wondering what socialist victories in New York could mean for the 2026 elections – Inside Wisconsin Politics explores whether the momentum could cross state lines.
Wisconsin Democrats try to stand out in primary for governor
The seven Democrats running for Wisconsin Governor are trying to separate themselves from the pack — Inside Wisconsin Politics takes stock of the race coming out of the state party […]
Childcare subsidies, UW tuition hikes and a PFAS settlement
Aid for childcare providers is expiring, the Universities of Wisconsin raises tuition, and the state reaches a $10 million PFAS settlement — Inside Wisconsin Politics reviews a busy start to […]
Trump visits Wisconsin and 2026 candidates file for office
President Donald Trump campaigns in Chippewa County and candidates for governor and other races file nomination papers — Inside Wisconsin Politics consider what each means for the 2026 election cycle.
Polling the (failed) surplus deal, Tiffany’s stance on Trump
Voters support a surplus plan and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is asked about President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund — Inside Wisconsin Politics looks at the 2026 race for governor.
The fallout from Wisconsin’s failed budget surplus deal
Candidates for governor are wrestling with the state’s failed budget surplus deal — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines what the failure means for the 2026 elections and state government’s bottom line.
Why Wisconsin lawmakers blew up a state budget surplus deal
Democratic and Republican legislators rejected a budget deal to cut taxes and boost school funding — Inside Wisconsin Politics sorts out what it says about state government and political ambitions.
Ask Inside Wisconsin Politics: Polarization, ideology, money
What questions do Wisconsinites have about government, elections and candidates in the state? Inside Wisconsin Politics takes on queries from students in a political science class at UW-La Crosse.
How Wisconsin’s 2026 Democratic primaries are taking shape
The field of candidates in different Democratic primaries is growing, in races for Congress and the Legislature — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers how the 2026 election season is taking shape.
How much will endorsements matter in Wisconsin’s 2026 races?
What are the impacts of endorsements in the 2026 races for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District and governor? Inside Wisconsin Politics takes a look at how they can influence campaigns and […]
