Ellie here. We’ve got a lot to cover today, so let’s jump in.
To start, gas prices are up an additional 22 cents this week as the war with Iran continues. According to AAA, the state average is $3.39 as of March 17, compared to $3.175 last week. The national average is also up 26 cents compared to last week.
Have you noticed an increase in gas prices around the state? Let me know what you’ve seen.
Today, we’ve got a few roundups for you. First, for our Civic Check-In, we have some reminders on important election dates to mark down in your calendars.
Next, for our Meet the Candidates, we’re taking a look at all the gubernatorial candidates. Next week, we’ll examine Wisconsin’s District 7 race.
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“The storm that swallowed my Toyota.” (Ellen S.)
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Ellen S. sent in this crazy photo after the snow storm many of us saw earlier this week. You can hardly tell there’s a car under there. Thanks for sharing!
Share your Wisconsin view to be featured.
Just because there’s still snow on the ground doesn’t mean we can’t start prepping for spring! Check out these must-see spots during Wisconsin’s wildflower season.
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Local news is essential for democracy.
Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.
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A reminder on election dates and voting plans
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Elections in Wisconsin aren’t just an annual event, they happen throughout the year. Here are the key election dates to have on your radar:
🗳 Spring Election: April 7, 2026
🗳 Partisan Primary Election: August 11, 2026
🗳 General Election: November 3, 2026
Each of these elections plays a different but important role for our state, from local school boards in the spring to statewide and federal offices in the fall.
What to do before elections
➡️ Check your voter registration: Make sure your name and address are up to date, especially if you’ve moved recently.
➡️ Mark your calendar with deadlines: Registration, absentee ballot requests, and early voting all have cutoffs in the weeks leading up to each election.
➡️ Decide how you’ll vote: Whether it’s in-person early, on Election Day, or by mail.
➡️ Preview your ballot: Visit MyVote Wisconsin to see what’s on your ballot before you visit the polls.
Government is shaped by the voters who show up. Make your plan to vote!
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Seven Democratic candidates for Wisconsin governor appear at the first 2026 forum. (Screen image from Civic Media video feed.)
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the candidates in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race. Here’s a round up of the candidates running.
Democrats:
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Mandela Barnes — former lieutenant governor, running on healthcare expansion and economic fairness.
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Sara Rodriguez — current lieutenant governor and former ER nurse, focused on healthcare, reproductive rights, and affordability.
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David Crowley — current Milwaukee County executive, focusing on affordability, expanding healthcare, and housing.
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Kelda Roys — current Wisconsin state senator, running on progressive priorities like education and economic equity.
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Francesca Hong — current Wisconsin state representative, focusing on childcare, public education, and affordable healthcare.
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Missy Hughes — former Wisconsin’s Economic Development Corporation CEO, focused on an economic plan called “Unlock Wisconsin.”
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Joel Brennan — former Department of Administration secretary running on improving the lives of Wisconsinites by standing up to “Trump’s dysfunction.”
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Brett Hulsey — former state representative, running on housing and environmental justice.
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Zachary Roper — college student running on education and affordability.
Republicans
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Tom Tiffany — current US congressman endorsed by President Donald Trump, running on lowering costs and job creation.
Next week, we’ll take a look at the candidates running in District 7, a closely watched race in our state.
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US Rep. Tom Tiffany, the presumptive Republican nominee in this fall’s election for Wisconsin governor, told a podcast host Thursday, “I don’t believe we should be doing mail-in voting,” making an exception only for members of the US Armed Forces.
More than 1.5 million Wisconsin voters cast absentee ballots in the November 2024 presidential election in Wisconsin, including about 600,000 that were mailed in, demonstrating its ongoing popularity.
Records indicate Tiffany has voted absentee 12 times since 2016, according to an official with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. It’s not clear whether those ballots were cast by mail or in-person.
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Would you recommend this newsletter to your neighbor?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Ellie Bourdo with stories from Pat Kreitlow. It was edited by Brook Bolen.
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