2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
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The 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers is eligible to run for re-election to a third term but has not yet announced whether he will do so. This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state won by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and the state with the closest presidential margin of victory at R+0.9.[1]
Background
[edit]Wisconsin is considered to be a purple state at the federal and state levels with a uniquely competitive track record (presidential races decided by less than a point in 2016, 2020, 2024, Senate races decided by roughly a point in 2022 and 2024, a governor’s race decided by a point in 2018).[1] The past two Wisconsin elections featured split outcomes, with Democrats winning for governor and Republicans for Senate in 2022, and Democrats winning for Senate and Republicans for president in 2024. Wisconsin has voted with the winner of the last five Presidential elections, and in 2024 had the second highest voter turnout levels in the country behind Minnesota and one of the biggest turnout increases in the country.[1]
Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Republicans narrowly control both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature and hold a supermajority in Wisconsin's U.S. House delegation. However, Democrats control most statewide executive offices and have won the last two gubernatorial races.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive (2020–present)[2][3]
- Tony Evers, incumbent governor (2019–present)[3]
- Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee (2021–present)[4]
- Ryan Strnad, beer vendor lobbyist[5]
Potential
[edit]- Mandela Barnes, former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2019–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022[6]
- Kevin Conroy, CEO of Exact Sciences Corp.[6]
- Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin Secretary of State (2023–present), former Wisconsin State Treasurer (2019–2023), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[6][7]
- Missy Hughes, CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation[6]
- Josh Kaul, Attorney General of Wisconsin (2019–present)[6]
- Sara Rodriguez, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2023–present)[6][7]
- Kelda Roys, state senator from the 26th district (2021–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[7]
- Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–present)[7]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive (2020–present)[6]
- Patrick Testin, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022[6]
- Tom Tiffany, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district (2020–present) (decision expected after April 1, 2025)[3]
Potential
[edit]- Eric Hovde, bank executive, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 and candidate in 2012[3]
- Rebecca Kleefisch, former lieutenant governor (2011–2019) and candidate for governor in 2022[6]
- Bryan Steil, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district (2019–present)[6]
Declined
[edit]- Bill Berrien, manufacturing executive[6]
- Bill McCoshen, WTMJ-TV host and owner of the Janesville Jets[6]
Green primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jill Ferguson, retiree[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Gilbert, Craig (November 25, 2024). "Gilbert: How small voting shifts made Wisconsin the closest state in the nation". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Shafer, Dan (December 21, 2023). "David Crowley 'possibly' interested in running for governor in 2026". The Recombobulation Area. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Andrea, Lawrence; Bice, Daniel (November 11, 2024). "After an intense election season, the political focus shifts to state races in Wisconsin". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Shawn (July 11, 2024). "Milwaukee's Democratic mayor helped land the RNC. He's ready for the spotlight". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ Katzenberger, Tyler (June 27, 2023). "Beer vendor for governor? Wisconsin's Ryan Strnad opens the door for a 2026 run if Tony Evers doesn't". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Walters, Steven (August 1, 2024). "Who might run for Wisconsin governor in 2026?". Isthmus. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Shafer, Dan (November 20, 2024). "Wikler could be 'goldilocks candidate' for DNC chair". Civic Media. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "Green Party: Announcing candidate for WI Governor '26". Wisconsin Green Party (Press release). July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024 – via WisPolitics.