Tiffany suffers minor injuries after plane makes emergency lake landing

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), who is running for governor of Wisconsin, said Sunday he sustained “minor injuries” after his plane made an emergency landing in a lake.

Tiffany wrote on social platform X that his plane lost power as it approached Wausau Downtown Airport earlier Saturday night.

The GOP lawmaker, who was returning home after attending the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner, added that the pilot of his plane made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau.

“After landing, we called 911. As the plane began to submerge, we exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area, where we waited until emergency responders reached us by boat,” Tiffany wrote.

The Republican gubernatorial nominee expressed his “deepest gratitude” to the pilot, the Wausau Fire Department and “all of the first responders who came to our aid so quickly” on Saturday.

“They got us safely off the water and transported us to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where we received excellent care,” the Republican noted, adding he and the pilot suffered “only minor injuries.”

Tiffany said, “God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here in the hospital with my wife, Chris, by my side. An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is.”

Tiffany, the representative for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District since May 2020, is running against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D) in the Badger State’s gubernatorial race.

Tiffany, with an early endorsement from President Trump, cruised to victory in the GOP primary last month. Crowley, meanwhile, earned a narrow win over democratic socialist Francesca Hong, a state assemblywoman.

Crowley said Sunday he was “grateful to God” that Tiffany and no one else was hurt in the emergency landing, adding it “could have been a tragedy if not for the heroism of the pilot.”

Crowley wrote on X , “I wish [the pilot] and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones.

Early voting in Wisconsin starts on Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 1, the Sunday before Election Day.

Tiffany and Crowley are running to succeed two-term Gov. Tony Evers (D), who opted against seeking reelection.