2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

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2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
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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
Publicly expressed interest
Potential
Declined

Endorsements

David Crowley
Municipal officials
Labor unions
Sara Rodriguez
Statewide officials
State legislators
Organizations

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Declined
  • Sara Rodriguez, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) (running for governor) [9]

Endorsements

Sarah Godlewski
Statewide officials

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

Potential

Withdrawn

  • Bill Berrien, manufacturing executive [30] [31]

Declined

Endorsements

Tom Tiffany
U.S. representatives
Organizations

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Bill
Berrien		Josh
Schoemann		Tom
Tiffany		Undecided
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R) [41] July 28–31, 2025600 (LV)± 4%10%13%40%37%

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates

Declared

  • David Varnam, former mayor of Lancaster (2016–2022) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022 [42]

Filed paperwork

Potential

Minor parties and independents

Green Party

Declared

  • Jill Ferguson, retiree [45]

Independents

Declared

  • David King, pastor and perennial candidate [46]

Filed paperwork

  • Oliver Carranza [47]
  • Carlos Lemar Dixon [48]
  • Alexander Kent, electoral reform activist [49]
  • Mike Kohn [50]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [51] TossupSeptember 11, 2025
Inside Elections [52] TossupAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [53] TossupSeptember 4, 2025
Race to the WH [54] TossupSeptember 11, 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. ↑ Schneider, Elena (September 9, 2025). "Milwaukee County executive David Crowley launches Wisconsin gubernatorial bid". Politico . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  7. ↑ Hanson, Kali (September 17, 2025). "Francesca Hong announces run for governor centered on working class". The Cap Times . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  8. ↑ Beck, Molly (September 24, 2025). "A former Wisconsin Democratic lawmaker known for antics, investigations joins governor's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Schneider, Elena (July 25, 2025). "Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez launches gubernatorial bid". Politico . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  10. 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.
  11. ↑ Schmidt, Mitchell (September 15, 2025). "Madison Democratic Sen. Kelda Roys launches bid for governor". Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  12. ↑ Smith, Matt (August 20, 2025). "Longtime beer vendor announces Democratic bid for governor". WISN-TV . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Friends of Tim Jacobson". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  14. ↑ 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.
  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 Beck, Molly (September 10, 2025). "Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson endorses David Crowley for governor, ending speculation about his own run". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Crowley campaign: Firefighters Local 215 endorses David Crowley for governor". WisPolitics . September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Davis, Austin (July 25, 2025). "RELEASE: DLGA Endorses Wisconsin Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez for Governor". Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  22. 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.
  23. ↑ Walters, Steven (September 1, 2025). "Kelda Roys, David Crowley test campaign messages". Isthmus . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  24. 1 2 "Godlewski announces lieutenant governor bid, vows to deliver for Wisconsin". WisPolitics . August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ Andrea, Lawrence (September 23, 2025). "U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany enters the 2026 race for Wisconsin governor, 3rd Republican in the field". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Committee to Elect Andy Manske for Governor". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. July 9, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  28. 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.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "Republican manufacturer Bill Berrien drops out of race for governor". WTMJ-TV . September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Wisconsin Republican Bill Berrien quits governor's race amid fallout over sexually explicit links". AP News. September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ Nir, David (July 25, 2025). "Morning Digest: Tony Evers announces he won't run for a third term". The Downballot. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  33. ↑ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (September 4, 2025). "Morning Digest: Suddenly, Maine has a three-way Senate primary". The Downballot. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  34. ↑ Walters, Steven (August 1, 2024). "Who might run for Wisconsin governor in 2026?". Isthmus . Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  35. ↑ 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.
  36. ↑ 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
  37. ↑ Schmitz, Sam (July 27, 2025). "Scott Walker says he will not run for Wisconsin Governor in 2026". WISN-TV . Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Tiffany campaign: Congressman Tony Wied formally endorses Tom Tiffany for governor". WisPolitics. September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  39. ↑ @WICRs (June 25, 2025). "Tiffany 2026" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 8, 2025 – via Twitter.
  40. ↑ @Uscollegegop (June 25, 2025). "Tiffany 2026" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 25, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 8, 2025 suggested (help)
  41. ↑ "Clear GOP Frontrunner Emerges For Wide Open Governor Race, Polling Shows". August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  42. ↑ Strzalka, Konrad (September 26, 2025). "Former Lancaster mayor enters Wisconsin lieutenant governor's race". Telegraph Herald. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Sablich for Lt. Governor". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Former Lancaster Mayor David Varnam is again running for lieutenant governor after finishing seventh in the eight-way GOP primary for the office in 2022". State Affairs. September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Green Party: Announcing candidate for WI Governor '26". Wisconsin Green Party (Press release). July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024– via WisPolitics.
  46. ↑ 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.
  47. ↑ "Olive Committee". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. July 29, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Wisconsin Rebuild". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  49. ↑ "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.
  50. ↑ "Mike Kohn for Governor". Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. September 5, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  51. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  53. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
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