Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee survives plane crash: 'God was looking after us'

The Republican nominee in the Wisconsin gubernatorial election is praising God after he survived a plane crash Saturday night, expressing gratitude for the thoughts and prayers he has received from his supporters as well as his opponent in the hotly contested race. 

Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., spoke during a press conference Sunday to share details of what transpired the day earlier. 

“I started the morning in Platteville, went to the Platteville Dairy Days,” he said. “We had a great parade down there and then we worked our way up to La Crosse, made a number of stops on our way to La Crosse and we finished out the day at the La Crosse Lincoln Day Dinner.” 

Following the Lincoln Day Dinner, Tiffany said a private pilot flew him from La Crosse to Wausau. He credited the pilot with giving him a “smooth flight" but the plane “lost power” toward the end of the trip. 

After the pilot informed Tiffany, “We are going down,” and told him to “Pull your seatbelt tight,” they ended up in Lake Wausau about 10 seconds later. The two were not hurt and the pilot called 911 to request assistance.

“We stayed on top of the plane,” Tiffany explained. “The plane was slowly submerging.” 

While the pilot stood on one wing, Tiffany went to the back of the plane. Although they could see “sirens and lights circling Lake Wausau” almost immediately after calling 911, they decided to “swim towards the airport to the east” due to concerns that the plane would soon be completely submerged in the water. 

After swimming 100 to 150 feet, Tiffany found a spot in the lake about five feet deep. The two stayed there until boats rescued them about five minutes later and took them to the hospital. They only suffered minor injuries from the ordeal, although Tiffany has 12 stitches in one of his eyebrows. 

“We’re really fortunate that God was looking after us last night,” Tiffany emotionally proclaimed.

He also said he was "grateful for the Lord sparing us to see another day.”

“For at least a while, God spared me," Tiffany said later in the press conference. He also thanked law enforcement and first responders, many of whom were gathered behind him as he spoke. 

Tiffany acknowledged that the plane crash comes amid a competitive gubernatorial contest against Democrat David Crowley, the executive of Milwaukee County.

“We’re going to continue on here for the next six to seven weeks,” Tiffany vowed. “This will not deter me.” 

The RealClearPolitics average of polls measuring voter intentions in the contest shows Crowley ahead of Tiffany by 4 percentage points. 

"I’m grateful to God that Congressman Tiffany and no one else was hurt in this horrifying incident, which could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot," Crowley wrote in an X post Sunday. “I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones.”

Tiffany acknowledged Crowley’s message during the press conference, describing his “kind words” as “appreciated.”

In a much shorter video filmed on the same day as the press conference, Tiffany thanked his supporters for their “thoughts and prayers” given to him and his family after the plane crash.