71% of Wisconsin business owners surveyed by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce saw their commercial property tax bill rise over the past year, against just 1% who saw a decrease, per the group's Winter 2026 biannual survey of 200 business leaders. That imbalance arrived alongside the business lobby's public relief at the Democratic gubernatorial primary result: state Rep. Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialists of America member who had polled ahead, lost the nomination to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley by a razor-thin margin.
WMC president and CEO Kurt Bauer was direct. Citing the historical record of socialist economies as his frame, he said Wisconsin had "dodged a bullet." He added a qualifier: Crowley's stated policy positions still represent a concern for the business community on taxes and healthcare, even if the county executive is somewhat better on certain issues than Hong.
The survey read
WMC's biannual survey, conducted with 200 business leaders, tracks how state policy flows through to small business conditions. Four numbers define the Winter 2026 picture:
| Metric | Share | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial property tax bill up | 71% | Reported |
| Commercial property tax bill down | 1% | Reported |
| Trump tariffs: negative impact | nearly half | Reported |
| Trump tariffs: positive impact | 12% | Reported |
The negative tariff read, at nearly half of respondents, runs more than four times the positive share of 12%. Bauer's summary: employers are "lukewarm," with increased hiring and a relatively steady U.S. economic outlook providing some offset against persistent healthcare cost pressure and worker shortages.
The November matchup
Crowley will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, a House Freedom Caucus member backed by Donald Trump, in the general election. The race is considered one of the GOP's top flip opportunities nationwide.
Crowley's campaign highlights Milwaukee County results: the region's tourism industry generated $4.4 billion in total economic impact, his office secured an $8 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a redeveloped terminal at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and his Building Bridges program distributes $10,000 grants to small businesses. Endorsements include the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, Plumbers Local 75, and the IBEW Wisconsin State Conference, which represents 15,000 electrical workers.
Tiffany draws support from SEMA's SuperPAC, Driving Force Action. Spokesperson Lauren Wilbor said the group, representing an automotive aftermarket industry with $337 billion in U.S. economic impact, chose Tiffany as the cleaner pro-business option. Tiffany, who owned a seasonal boat excursion business in northern Wisconsin for nearly 20 years, cited Wisconsin's 40th-place ranking in job creation from 2018 to 2025 and said his platform centers on lower taxes and reduced regulatory burden.
Gregg McKarns, owner of Madison International Speedway, put the property tax concern in concrete terms: his operation sits on 50 acres.