This post originally appeared at https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/tiffany-joins-wisconsin-governor-race/

(The Center Square) – Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany entered Wisconsin’s race for governor on Tuesday.

Tiffany, of the 7th Congressional District, told radio host Dan O’Donnell he plans to ensure the state is back open for business and proposed the state change its Department of Natural Resources to adjust its permitting process and separate its permitting from its fish and wildlife work.

He posted his announcement on social media.

Tiffany said he is running because he believes he is the best Republican candidate who can win.

Tiffany told O’Donnell that he plans to lower taxes overall, including freezing property taxes and attempting to eliminate the state income tax, though he is not sure the state can get there.

Tiffany said the state has a “tax problem, not a revenue problem.”

Tiffany said that he supports President Donald Trump’s tariffs and he believes they will help bring manufacturing back to the United States.

“Generally, I support them,” Tiffany said. “… We can’t be dependent on China.”

Criticism of Tiffany came swiftly after his announcement.

“Tiffany is entering the race already at odds with voters after he tipped the scales in Washington to kick Wisconsin families off of their health insurance, threaten rural hospitals and nursing homes, drive up the cost of food, and kill good-paying jobs,” said Izzi Levy speaking for the Democratic Governors Association. “And he is unapologetic about his radical record that adds to a primary race bursting with far-right extremism: he has repeatedly pushed to overturn Wisconsin’s 2020 election results, advocated for an extreme abortion ban with no exceptions, and supported cost-raising tariffs and devastating cuts to education funding in the state.”

Tiffany joins Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and businessman Bill Berrien in the Republican race.

Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, recently joined Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as the major Democratic candidates in the race.