2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

Last updated

2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
←  2022 November 3, 20262030 →
 
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Governor

Tony Evers
Democratic



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 declined to seek reelection to a third term in office. [1] This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state won by President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and the state with the closest presidential margin of victory, just under one percentage point. [2]

Contents

This is the first Wisconsin gubernatorial election since 2010 in which the incumbent was not seeking re-election.

Background

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). [2] 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. [2] 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. [3]

The incumbent Governor of Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers, was first elected in 2018 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Scott Walker. [4] He was re-elected by a slightly larger margin in 2022, defeating conservative businessman Tim Michels. [5] With no incumbent and an even partisan lean, the race is widely seen as a tossup.

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

Declared
Filed paperwork
  • Tim Jacobson [9]
Publicly expressed interest
Potential
Declined

Endorsements

Sara Rodriguez
State legislators
Organizations

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Declined
  • Sara Rodriguez, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) (running for governor) [6]

Endorsements

Sarah Godlewski
Statewide officials

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

Tom Tiffany (not declared)
Organizations

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Bill
Berrien		Josh
Schoemann		Tom
Tiffany		Undecided
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R) [35] July 28–31, 2025600 (LV)± 4%10%13%40%37%

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates

Potential

Minor parties and independents

Green Party

Declared

  • Jill Ferguson, retiree [36]

Independents

Declared

  • David King, pastor and perennial candidate [37]

Filed paperwork

  • Oliver Carranza [38]
  • Carlos Lemar Dixon [39]
  • Alexander Kent, electoral reform activist [40]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [41] TossupJanuary 23, 2025
Inside Elections [42] TossupAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [43] TossupJuly 24, 2025
Race to the WH [44] TossupJuly 24, 2025

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

  1. 1 2 Bauer, Scott (July 24, 2025). "Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won't seek third term in battleground Wisconsin". Associated Press . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Gilbert, Craig (November 25, 2024). "Gilbert: How small voting shifts made Wisconsin the closest state in the nation". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  3. ↑ Unger, Nancy C. (October 28, 2024). "How Wisconsin Became the Ultimate Purple State". TIME Magazine . Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ Gowen, Annie (November 7, 2018). "How the Democrats finally defeated Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker" . The Washington Post . ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Bosman, Julie (November 9, 2022). "Tony Evers and Ron Johnson Keep Their Seats in Wisconsin". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Schneider, Elena (July 25, 2025). "Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez launches gubernatorial bid". Politico . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Bahl, Andrew (May 20, 2025). "Chris Taylor for Wisconsin Supreme Court among 2026 election bids". The Cap Times . Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  8. ↑ Smith, Matt (August 20, 2025). "Longtime beer vendor announces Democratic bid for governor". WISN-TV . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Friends of Tim Jacobson". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Bice, Daniel (July 24, 2025). "Here are the likely Democratic and Republican contenders for Wisconsin governor in 2026". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  11. ↑ Swales, Vanessa; Beck, Molly (July 25, 2025). "Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says he plans to enter Democratic field for governor" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ "MON AM Update: Hong seriously considering guv bid; Crowley tells 'UpFront' he's focused on flooding". State Affairs. August 18, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  13. ↑ Kremer, Rich (July 24, 2025). "As Tony Evers retires, possible candidates emerge for Wisconsin governor's race". Wisconsin Public Radio . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ Allbaugh, Todd (August 12, 2025). "Sen. Kelda Roys is 'pretty likely to run' for governor". Civic Media. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Kreitlow, Pat (July 29, 2025). "Who is (and isn't) running for Wisconsin governor in 2026?". Up North News . Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Beck, Molly; Bice, Daniel (May 27, 2025). "Which Democrats will run for governor if Tony Evers doesn't and answers to other questions". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  17. ↑ Bauer, Scott (July 28, 2025). "Wisconsin's Democratic secretary of state won't run for governor but mulls lieutenant governor bid". Associated Press . Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Thompson, Chad (August 20, 2025). "Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski announces run for lieutenant governor". WKOW . Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Rodriguez campaign: Wisconsin leaders line up behind Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez for governor". WisPolitics . August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  20. ↑ @DemocraticLGs (July 25, 2025). "Rodriguez 2026" (Tweet). Retrieved July 25, 2025– via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. 1 2 3 "Godlewski announces lieutenant governor bid, vows to deliver for Wisconsin". WisPolitics . August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  22. ↑ Beck, Molly (July 9, 2025). "Bill Berrien, a businessman and retired Navy SEAL, enters GOP primary for 2026 Wisconsin governor's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  23. ↑ Beck, Molly (May 1, 2025). "Wisconsin Republican Josh Schoemann makes early entry into 2026 governor's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Committee to Elect Andy Manske for Governor". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. July 9, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  25. ↑ Andrea, Lawrence (July 22, 2025). "Congressman Tom Tiffany teases a run for Wisconsin governor but says he hasn't made up his mind". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  26. ↑ "You think it's early for 2026 campaign maneuvers? Guess again". Wispolitics.com . April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2025– via Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
  27. 1 2 Beck, Molly; Opoien, Jessie; Bice, Daniel; Andrea, Lawrence (June 27, 2025). "Businessmen Tim Michels, Eric Hovde considering return to politics with runs for Wisconsin governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  28. ↑ Spears, Baylor (August 5, 2025). "Former Wisconsin governors stir conversation on whether they'll run for the office again". Wisconsin Examiner . Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  29. ↑ Nir, David (July 25, 2025). "Morning Digest: Tony Evers announces he won't run for a third term". The Downballot. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ Walters, Steven (August 1, 2024). "Who might run for Wisconsin governor in 2026?". Isthmus . Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  31. ↑ Beck, Molly; Andrea, Lawrence (January 14, 2025). "Republican challengers start to line up as Gov. Tony Evers considers 2026 run for 3rd term". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  32. ↑ Bird, LuAnn (August 1, 2025). Rep Bryan Steil expresses his support for Trump's agenda at Town Hall July 31, 2025 . Retrieved August 2, 2025– via YouTube. I'm gonna be running for reelection to the House
  33. ↑ Schmitz, Sam (July 27, 2025). "Scott Walker says he will not run for Wisconsin Governor in 2026". WISN-TV . Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  34. ↑ @WICRs (June 25, 2025). "Tiffany 2026" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 8, 2025 – via Twitter.
  35. ↑ "Clear GOP Frontrunner Emerges For Wide Open Governor Race, Polling Shows". August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Green Party: Announcing candidate for WI Governor '26". Wisconsin Green Party (Press release). July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024– via WisPolitics.
  37. ↑ Dabruzzi, Anthony (July 25, 2025). "Wisconsin's race for governor continues to grow 13 months before the 2026 primary". Spectrum News . Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Olive Committee". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. July 29, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Wisconsin Rebuild". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Washington County Exec Schoemann registers '26 guv bid". WisPolitics . May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025. Schoemann is one of two people to register for the race this week. Independent Alexander Kent, of La Crosse, filed on Tuesday.
  41. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  43. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
Official gubernatorial campaign websites
Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.