GOP governor candidate escapes submerging plane after Lake landing

U.S. Rep. and Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany said he and the pilot escaped with minor injuries after their small plane lost power and made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau on Saturday night. Tiffany said he was traveling back from the La Crosse County Lincoln Day Dinner when the aircraft lost power while approaching Wausau Downtown Airport. In a statement posted on X, Tiffany said they called 911 after exiting the aircraft as it began to submerge, then swam to a shallow area until responders arrived by boat. A report attributed to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office said the plane went into the lake at about 9 p.m. Local reports said two people were taken to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Tiffany credited first responders and said the injuries were minor.