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2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. The primary election is scheduled for August 11, 2026. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers declined to seek re-election to a third term.

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, and a governor's race decided by a point in 2018). Incumbent Democratic governor Tony Evers was first elected in 2018, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Scott Walker. He was re-elected by a slightly larger margin in 2022, defeating Republican businessman Tim Michels. In July 2025, Evers announced he would not seek re-election to a third term. The race is widely seen as a tossup due to Evers' retirement and the state's even partisan lean. ==Democratic primary==
Democratic primary
Governor Candidates Declared • Kirk Bangstad, business owner • Mandela Barnes, former lieutenant governor (2019–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022Joel Brennan, former secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration (2019–2022) • David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive (2020–present) • Francesca Hong, state representative from the 76th district (2021–present) • Missy Hughes, former CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (2019–2025) • Brett Hulsey, former state representative from the 78th district (2011–2015) and candidate for governor in 2014Sara Rodriguez, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) • Zachary Roper, college student and nominee for Wisconsin's 84th Assembly district in 2024Kelda Roys, state senator from the 26th district (2021–present), candidate for in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2018 Withdrawn • Tim Jacobson, Oshkosh defense assembler (ran for Winnebago County Board of Supervisors) • Ryan Strnad, stadium vendor (endorsed Crowley) Declined Tony Evers, incumbent governor (2019–present) • Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin Secretary of State (2023–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 (running for lieutenant governor)Josh Kaul, Attorney General of Wisconsin (2019–present) (running for re-election)Tip McGuire, state representative from the 64th district (2019–present) • Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–2025) and candidate for Democratic National Committee chair in 2025 Endorsements {{Endorsements box ;U.S. representatives • Ro Khanna, CA–17 (2017–present) • Ilhan Omar, MN–05 (2019–present) ;State legislators • Nina Turner, Ohio state senator from the 25th district (2008–2014) • Center for Freethought Equality (co-endorsement with Roys) • Korean Americans for Organizing Fund • Wisconsin Electoral Socialists • Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America Declined Sara Rodriguez, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) (running for governor) Endorsements == Republican primary ==
Republican primary
Governor Candidates Declared • Andy Manske, medical service technician • Tom Tiffany, U.S. representative for (2020–present) Publicly expressed interest Tommy Thompson, former governor (1987–2001), former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2001–2005), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2012 Withdrawn • Bill Berrien, manufacturing executive • Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive (2020–present) Declined • Rohn W. Bishop, mayor of Waupun, Wisconsin (2022–present) • Eric Hovde, bank executive, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 and candidate in 2012Ron Johnson, U.S. senator (2011–present) • Mary Felzkowski, president of the Wisconsin Senate (2025–present) from the 12th district (2021–present) • Bill McCoshen, WTMJ-TV host and owner of the Janesville Jets • Tim Michels, co-owner of the Michels Corporation, nominee for governor in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2004 • Matt Neumann, business owner (running for re-election; endorsed Tiffany) Endorsements {{Endorsements box ;Executive branch officials • Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present) ;U.S. representatives • Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip (2023–present) from MN-06 (2015–present) • Scott Fitzgerald, (2021–present) • Glenn Grothman, (2015–present) • Harriet Hageman, (2023–present) • Jim Jordan, (2007–present) • Troy Nehls, (2021–present) • Bryan Steil, (2019–present) • Tony Wied, (2024–present) ;State officials • Kelly Armstrong, governor of North Dakota (2024–present) ;State Legislators • Angie Sapik former state representative from the 73rd district (2023–2025) • Cyril Sablich, college student • John Totz, Oakfield school board member Withdrawn • Nick Polce, business owner and candidate for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in 2018 (running for state senate) == Minor parties and independents ==
Minor parties and independents
Green Party Declared • Jill Ferguson, retiree Independents Declared • David King, pastor and perennial candidate • Carlos Dixon, musician Filed paperwork • Oliver Carranza, college student • Alexander Kent, electoral reform activist • Mike Kohn • Zachariah David Russell • Korey Streich == General election ==
General election
Predictions Polling Mandela Barnes vs. Tom Tiffany David Crowley vs. Tom Tiffany Francesca Hong vs. Tom Tiffany Sara Rodriguez vs. Tom Tiffany Mandela Barnes vs. Tim Michels Generic Democrat vs. generic Republican == See also ==
tickerdossier.comtickerdossier.substack.com