In just a few days time, top Democratic candidates for governor will be coming together in Milwaukee for a candidate forum — the first of 2026.

Main Street Action is hosting the event at The Cooperage in Milwaukee (822 S. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53204) on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will feature seven candidates, including State Rep. Francesca Hong, State Sen. Kelda Roys, former WEDC Director Missy Hughes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former DOA Secretary Joel Brennan and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

Along with The Recombobulation Area’s Dan Shafer emcee-ing the event, Civic Media will be exclusively live-streaming the candidate forum.

That’s right, Civic Media will be live-streaming the candidate forum. You will be able to watch the full event on the Civic Media YouTube channel.

Subscribe here so you don’t miss it.

A few other things to know, from our friends at Main Street Action:

There is parking next to the venue and ample street parking outside. We are expecting a very large turnout for this event so please arrive early if you want a good parking space (and seat). We will start promptly at 6 p.m.

The entrance to the Cooperage is on the river-side of the building, to the right. If you’re coming from the parking lot or street parking, you’ll walk past the Boone & Crockett entrance to get to the Cooperage entrance.

There will be a cash bar available (but please behave yourselves!).

We will be kicking off with a panel of small business owners asking questions of the candidates, and then our emcee will be asking questions submitted from members of the audience. We will collect your questions as you arrive to ensure the program moves along efficiently and we can get as many questions asked of the candidates as possible.

Please expect you’ll be on video. There will be several videographers on site, reporters and a livestream via Civic Media.

After the program ends, you’ll need to leave the Cooperage, but there will be an opportunity to mingle with other attendees next door at the on-site bar Boone & Crockett!

Any other questions? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be happy to answer before the event on Wednesday. Looking forward to an exciting discussion!

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Follow Dan Shafer on Twitter at @DanRShafer and at BlueSky at @danshafer.bsky.social.

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