The first major public event of the 2026 gubernatorial campaign is happening tonight in Milwaukee, and you can watch it live exclusively on the Civic Media YouTube Channel.

The live-stream will be here, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

At the conclusion of the event, the full video will be immediately available at the same YouTube link.

If you have not yet registered to attend, the event is now at capacity, so registration is now closed. But you can stay warm at home and watch the candidate forum here!

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The event moderator will be Dan Shafer, founder of The Recombobulation Area and political editor at Civic Media. This will be the first opportunity for these seven candidates to share the stage, so you won’t want to miss it.

And those candidates are: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, State Rep. Francesca Hong, State Sen. Kelda Roys, former WEDC Director Missy Hughes, former DOA Secretary Joel Brennan, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

This candidate forum will feature questions from a panel of small business owners and members of Main Street Action, and then will take questions submitted by members of the audience. Topics for the first portion will include health care, child care, paid family and medical leave, capital access, tax policy, and public education.

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For those who might be unfamiliar with the organization hosting this event: Main Street Action elevates trusted small business owners — who live the impact of rising costs every day — to cut through lobbyist spin, hold lawmakers accountable, and push for policies that make life affordable for working families.

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). Doors will open at roughly 5 p.m., and the event 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!

We’re looking forward to a terrific conversation about the future of the great state of Wisconsin. We hope you’ll tune in.

Subscribe to The Recombobulation newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @ therecombobulationarea.

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

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