Full Breakdown
Tom Tiffany Campaign Bars Journal Sentinel Reporter at Milwaukee Event
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On September 24, 2026, a staff member for Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany prevented Journal Sentinel reporter Mary Spicuzza from entering a veterans round-table in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, saying the outlet had “covered the race unfairly.” A Journal Sentinel photographer was allowed inside, and other outlets, including WISN 12 and CBS 58, were present.
Background & Context
The incident followed former President Donald Trump’s brief ban of CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House, which a federal judge temporarily reversed. Wisconsin legal disputes have also addressed press access, notably the 2019 MacIver Institute suit against Governor Tony Evers that the state Supreme Court rejected. Tiffany’s campaign has previously removed Journal Sentinel reporters from its media-advisory list and declined interview requests for more than a year.
Official Statements & Responses
- Tiffany’s campaign called Spicuzza a “liberal activist” and said balanced coverage was required for future access.
- The campaign noted that a Journal Sentinel photographer was present, emphasizing that the action was not a blanket ban.
Criticism & Opposition
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, through spokesperson Emily Stuckey, condemned the action as “absolutely disqualifying” and linked it to Tiffany’s prior support for attempts to overturn elections. Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley accused Tiffany of breaking a promise to allow all reporters at his events, recalling Tiffany’s earlier claim that he would “never turn away a reporter.”
Data & Statistics
- The Wisconsin gubernatorial election is slated for early November 2026.
- The sole debate between the two nominees is scheduled for late October 2026 and will be televised on WISN 12.
- The campaign’s media-advisory list previously excluded Journal Sentinel reporters.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Campaign staffer Eric Brooks said the blockage responded to “unfair” coverage, while Tiffany later emphasized that the decision applied only to one reporter. The presence of a photographer suggests selective enforcement, but the campaign has not clarified whether other reporters were similarly evaluated. No comment was obtained from the Journal Sentinel regarding the staffer’s specific remarks beyond the quoted statement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Right now we would like to see the Journal Sentinel cover the race fairly and when that happens we'll be happy to accommodate,” — Eric Brooks
- “This is a reporter who has been simply a liberal activist in this campaign. She’s run four or five articles that have been hit jobs on me over the last couple of weeks, and doing none on my opponent. All we ask is for fair and balanced reporting,” — S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, nominee for governor
- “When our reporters cover campaigns and attend political events, they are there on behalf of the public,” — Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel executive
What’s Next
With the election approaching, the campaign’s handling of media access is likely to remain a focal point in the upcoming debate and voter-information efforts. Observers will watch whether the Journal Sentinel’s coverage influences public perception as the race tightens.