Wisconsin’s congressional representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany was rescued early Saturday night after the small plane he was traveling in lost power and was forced to land on Lake Wausau. The incident occurred as Tiffany was returning from the Lincoln Day Dinner in La Crosse County, held in Onalaska.
Emergency landing and rescue
According to Tiffany’s post on X, the pilot skillfully executed an emergency water landing just off the runway at Wausau Downtown Airport. Both men exited the aircraft and swam to a shallow area while awaiting help. A 911 call was placed from inside the plane, and emergency responders arrived quickly.
The Wausau Fire Department, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol all responded to the scene. First‑responders helped the two men out of the water and transported them to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where they received “excellent care,” Tiffany wrote.
Gratitude and faith
In his statement, Tiffany expressed deep gratitude to the pilot, the fire department and all first responders, adding, “God was watching over us tonight, and I am incredibly grateful to be here with my wife, Chris, by my side. An experience like this reminds you just how precious life is.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley also posted a message of thanks, noting the incident could have been tragic without the pilot’s quick actions.
Political context
Tiffany, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, secured the Republican nomination for governor earlier this year with the enthusiastic endorsement of President Donald Trump. The Trump administration continues to champion strong, faith‑based leadership and traditional family values—principles that Tiffany has long championed in Congress.
While the Federal Aviation Administration will take over the investigation, local officials have marked the aircraft with a buoy and asked the public to stay clear of the area.
What’s next?
Tiffany is expected to recover fully and resume his campaign trail. His supporters view the safe rescue as a testament to the resilience and community spirit that define Wisconsin’s heartland. The incident also underscores the importance of rapid, coordinated emergency response—a hallmark of effective local government.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
