Clock the Tea with Dr. Long Season 3 Ep. 14In this week’s episode of Clock the Tea with Dr. Long, we’re pouring a fresh mug and diving straight into the heart of Wisconsin politics. Dr. Long kicks things off by grounding the conversation where it belongs — right here at home — exploring the candidates vying to become the next governor of the Badger State. With the cost of living climbing and families feeling the squeeze, he’s ready to put his money where his mouth is and start supporting leaders who actually show up for working people.
The episode opens with conversations from the campaign trail, starting with State Representative Francesca Hong, a Madisonian through and through. Hong brings her lived experience as a single mom, chef, service‑industry worker, and community organizer into the race. She talks about running in a moment of “crisis and chaos,” but also a moment of movement — a chance to fight alongside working‑class Wisconsinites demanding real change. Dr. Long digs deeper into her background, highlighting her roots as the daughter of immigrants, her commitment to racial and economic justice, and her push for marijuana legalization — a policy supported by a majority of Wisconsinites.
Next up is Lieutenant Governor Sarah Rodriguez, who brings a healthcare lens to the race. A nurse by training who has worked every shift imaginable, Rodriguez has traveled to all 72 counties and hears the same concerns everywhere: rising costs, strained childcare, unaffordable housing, and families doing everything right but still falling behind. Her platform centers on lowering healthcare costs, cutting property taxes, expanding childcare access, and defending reproductive rights — including her firm stance that abortion is healthcare and that Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban has no place in modern law.
Dr. Long then shifts to two additional candidates: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. Crowley shares his story of growing up in Milwaukee in a family battling addiction and financial instability — a background that shaped his commitment to affordability, housing reform, and clean energy access. As the youngest and first Black Milwaukee County Executive, he’s focused on zoning flexibility, rapid rehousing, and cutting energy costs while strengthening environmental protections.
Barnes, meanwhile, frames his run around economic relief and bold leadership. With parents who worked in manufacturing and public education, he understands firsthand the pressures Wisconsin families face. He emphasizes the need to reject the status quo, lower costs, and invest in public schools — pointing to his record of violence‑prevention funding and historic education investments during the Evers‑Barnes administration. His campaign is backed by a wide coalition of local leaders, educators, and national organizations.
After unpacking the candidates, Dr. Long widens the lens to national issues shaping everyday life — including skyrocketing jet fuel prices, flight cancellations, and global travel disruptions tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He breaks down NBC News reporting on airlines slashing routes, rising baggage fees, and the ripple effects hitting American travelers just as spring break and summer travel ramp up.
The episode closes with a sobering look at the fast‑moving wildfires devastating parts of Georgia and Florida. With homes destroyed, thousands under evacuation orders, and firefighters battling dangerous conditions, Dr. Long highlights how Midwestern listeners can support relief efforts through donations, supplies, and community‑led drives.
By the end of the episode, one thing is clear: Wisconsin’s governor’s race isn’t just about politics — it’s about the future of affordability, justice, and community in a state where people deserve leaders who understand their lives. Dr. Long leaves listeners with a reminder that staying informed, engaged, and ready to act is the first step toward shaping the Wisconsin we want to live in.
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