2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election ← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →
The2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect thegovernor of Wisconsin . IncumbentDemocratic GovernorTony Evers declined to seek reelection to a third term in office.[ 1] Donald Trump in the2024 presidential election and the state with the closest presidential margin of victory, just under one percentage point.[ 2]
This is the first Wisconsin gubernatorial election since2010 in which the incumbent was not seeking re-election.
Wisconsin is considered to be apurple state at the federal and state levels with a uniquely competitive track record (presidential races decided by less than a point in2016 ,2020 ,2024 , Senate races decided by roughly a point in2022 and2024 , a governor’s race decided by a point in2018 ).[ 2] 2022 , and Democrats winning for Senate and Republicans for president in2024 . 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] U.S. House delegation. However, Democrats control most statewide executive offices and have won the last two gubernatorial races.[ 3]
The incumbentGovernor of Wisconsin ,Democrat Tony Evers , was first elected in2018 when he narrowly defeated incumbentRepublican Scott Walker .[ 4] 2022 , defeating conservative businessman Tim Michels.[ 5]
David Crowley ,Milwaukee County Executive (2020–present)[ 6] Francesca Hong ,state representative from the76th district (2021–present)[ 7] Missy Hughes , former CEO of theWisconsin Economic Development Corporation (2019–2025)[ 8] Brett Hulsey , formerstate representative from the78th district (2011–2015) and candidate for governor in2014 [ 9] Sara Rodriguez ,Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2023–present)[ 10] Zachary Roper, college student and nominee forWisconsin's 84th Assembly district in2024 [ 11] Kelda Roys ,state senator from the26th district (2021–present), candidate forWisconsin's 2nd congressional district 2012 , and candidate for governor in2018 [ 12] Ryan Strnad, stadium vendor[ 13] Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] David Crowley
State legislators Municipal officials Labor unions Sara Rodriguez
Statewide officials State legislators Municipal officials Organizations Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Ben David Francesca Josh Kelda Mandela Missy Sara Other Undecided Platform Communications[ 27] September 28–30, 2025 – (LV) – 1% 7% 4% 7% 4% 16% 2% 8% 12%[ b] 39%
Lieutenant Governor [ edit ] Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] Bill Berrien, manufacturing executive[ 35] Tom Tiffany
U.S. representatives Municipal officials Organizations Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Bill Josh Tom Undecided September 26, 2025 Berrien withdraws from the race Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[ 51] July 28–31, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 10% 13% 40% 37%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Eric Josh Mary Tim Tom Other Undecided Platform Communications[ 27] September 28–30, 2025 – (LV) – 14% 4% 1% 9% 30% 9%[ c] 33%
Lieutenant Governor [ edit ] Cindy Werner, businesswoman and perennial candidate[ 56] Minor parties and independents [ edit ] Jill Ferguson, retiree[ 57] David King, pastor and perennial candidate[ 58] Oliver Carranza[ 59] Carlos Lemar Dixon[ 60] Alexander Kent, electoral reform activist[ 61] Mike Kohn[ 62] Hypothetical polling
Generic Democrat vs. generic Republican
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Generic Generic Undecided Platform Communications[ 27] September 28–30, 2025 500 (LV) – 40% 43% 17%
^a b c d Key: ^ "None of the candidates" with 12% ^ "None of the candidates" with 9% ^a b Bauer, Scott (July 24, 2025)."Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won't seek third term in battleground Wisconsin" .Associated Press . RetrievedJuly 25, 2025 . ^a b c Gilbert, Craig (November 25, 2024)."Gilbert: How small voting shifts made Wisconsin the closest state in the nation" .Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the original on November 26, 2024. RetrievedNovember 26, 2024 . ^ Unger, Nancy C. (October 28, 2024)."How Wisconsin Became the Ultimate Purple State" .TIME Magazine . RetrievedMay 28, 2025 . ^ Gowen, Annie (November 7, 2018)."How the Democrats finally defeated Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker" The Washington Post ISSN 0190-8286 . RetrievedMay 28, 2025 . ^ Bosman, Julie (November 9, 2022)."Tony Evers and Ron Johnson Keep Their Seats in Wisconsin" .The New York Times ISSN 0362-4331 . RetrievedMay 28, 2025 . ^ Schneider, Elena (September 9, 2025)."Milwaukee County executive David Crowley launches Wisconsin gubernatorial bid" .Politico . RetrievedSeptember 9, 2025 . ^ Hanson, Kali (September 17, 2025)."Francesca Hong announces run for governor centered on working class" .The Cap Times . RetrievedSeptember 17, 2025 . ^ Johnson, Shawn (September 29, 2025)."Former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes joins Democratic primary for Wisconsin Governor" .Wisconsin Public Radio . RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025 . ^ Beck, Molly (September 24, 2025)."A former Wisconsin Democratic lawmaker known for antics, investigations joins governor's race" .Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the original on September 24, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 24, 2025 . ^a b Schneider, Elena (July 25, 2025)."Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez launches gubernatorial bid" .Politico . RetrievedJuly 25, 2025 . ^ Bahl, Andrew (May 20, 2025)."Chris Taylor for Wisconsin Supreme Court among 2026 election bids" .The Cap Times . RetrievedMay 25, 2025 . ^ Schmidt, Mitchell (September 15, 2025)."Madison Democratic Sen. Kelda Roys launches bid for governor" .Wisconsin State Journal . RetrievedSeptember 15, 2025 . ^ Smith, Matt (August 20, 2025)."Longtime beer vendor announces Democratic bid for governor" .WISN-TV . RetrievedAugust 21, 2025 . ^ "Friends of Tim Jacobson" .Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. RetrievedAugust 24, 2025 .^a b c d Bice, Daniel (July 24, 2025)."Here are the likely Democratic and Republican contenders for Wisconsin governor in 2026" .Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the original on July 25, 2025. RetrievedJuly 24, 2025 . ^a b c Kreitlow, Pat (July 29, 2025)."Who is (and isn't) running for Wisconsin governor in 2026?" .Up North News . RetrievedJuly 29, 2025 . ^ Bauer, Scott (July 28, 2025)."Wisconsin's Democratic secretary of state won't run for governor but mulls lieutenant governor bid" .Associated Press . RetrievedJuly 28, 2025 . ^a b Thompson, Chad (August 20, 2025)."Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski announces run for lieutenant governor" .WKOW . RetrievedAugust 20, 2025 . ^a b c d Beck, Molly (September 10, 2025)."Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson endorses David Crowley for governor, ending speculation about his own run" .Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the original on September 10, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 10, 2025 . ^ Richmond, Todd (October 7, 2025)."Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general won't run for governor and will seek reelection instead" .Associated Press . RetrievedOctober 7, 2025 . ^a b 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. RetrievedMay 28, 2025 . ^ "Crowley campaign: Democratic Assistant Minority Leader, Representative Kalan Haywood, endorses David Crowley for governor" .WisPolitics . RetrievedOctober 5, 2025 .^ "Crowley campaign: Firefighters Local 215 endorses David Crowley for governor" .WisPolitics . RetrievedSeptember 11, 2025 .^a b Davis, Austin (July 25, 2025)."RELEASE: DLGA Endorses Wisconsin Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez for Governor" .Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association . RetrievedSeptember 11, 2025 . ^a b c d e f g h i j "Rodriguez campaign: Wisconsin leaders line up behind Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez for governor" .WisPolitics . RetrievedAugust 4, 2025 .^ "314 Action Fund Endorses Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin Governor" .314 Action ^a b c "Wisconsin governor race: Badger Battleground poll offers early look" .FOX6 Milwaukee . RetrievedOctober 5, 2025 .^ Walters, Steven (September 1, 2025)."Kelda Roys, David Crowley test campaign messages" .Isthmus . RetrievedSeptember 5, 2025 . ^ "Godlewski announces lieutenant governor bid, vows to deliver for Wisconsin" .WisPolitics . RetrievedAugust 21, 2025 .^ McGroarty, Erin (October 7, 2025)."Wisconsin governor candidates: How can any of 11 stand out?" .The Cap Times . RetrievedOctober 7, 2025 . ^ Beck, Molly (May 1, 2025)."Wisconsin Republican Josh Schoemann makes early entry into 2026 governor's race" .Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the original on May 1, 2025. RetrievedMay 1, 2025 . ^ 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 the original on September 24, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2025 . ^ Beck, Molly (October 2, 2025)."Tommy Thompson, the former longtime Wisconsin governor, 'seriously considering' another run in 2026" .Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the original on October 2, 2025. RetrievedOctober 2, 2025 . ^a b 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 the original on July 24, 2025. RetrievedJune 27, 2025 . ^ "Wisconsin Republican Bill Berrien quits governor's race amid controversy over following explicit accounts" .WTMJ-TV Archived from the original on September 27, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 26, 2025 .^ Nir, David (July 25, 2025)."Morning Digest: Tony Evers announces he won't run for a third term" .The Downballot . RetrievedJuly 25, 2025 . ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (September 4, 2025)."Morning Digest: Suddenly, Maine has a three-way Senate primary" .The Downballot . RetrievedSeptember 4, 2025 . ^ Walters, Steven (August 1, 2024)."Who might run for Wisconsin governor in 2026?" .Isthmus . RetrievedAugust 29, 2024 . ^ 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 the original on January 14, 2025. RetrievedMarch 6, 2025 . ^ Bird, LuAnn (August 1, 2025).Rep Bryan Steil expresses his support for Trump's agenda at Town Hall July 31, 2025 . RetrievedAugust 2, 2025 – viaYouTube .I'm gonna be running for reelection to the House ^ Schmitz, Sam (July 27, 2025)."Scott Walker says he will not run for Wisconsin Governor in 2026" .WISN-TV . RetrievedJuly 27, 2025 . ^ "Tiffany campaign: Congressman Scott Fitzgerald endorses Tom Tiffany's campaign for governor" .WisPolitics . September 30, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 30, 2025 .^ "Tiffany campaign: Congressman Glenn Grothman officially endorses Tiffany's run for governor" .WisPolitics . October 3, 2025. RetrievedOctober 3, 2025 .^ "Tiffany campaign: Chairman Jim Jordan officially endorses Tiffany's run for governor" .WisPolitics . October 13, 2025. RetrievedOctober 13, 2025 .^ "Tiffany campaign: Congressman Troy Nehls and family endorse Tiffany's run for governor" .WisPolitics . October 8, 2025. RetrievedOctober 9, 2025 .^ "Tiffany campaign: Tiffany campaign: Congressman Derrick Van Orden endorses Tom Tiffany's gubernatorial run" .WisPolitics . October 16, 2025. RetrievedOctober 18, 2025 .^ "Tiffany campaign: Congressman Tony Wied formally endorses Tom Tiffany for governor" .WisPolitics . September 25, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 25, 2025 .^ "Tiffany campaign: Congressman Troy Nehls and family endorse Tiffany's run for governor" .WisPolitics . October 8, 2025. RetrievedOctober 9, 2025 .^ @WICRs (June 25, 2025)."Tiffany 2026" (Tweet ).Archived from the original on July 8, 2025 – viaTwitter . ^ @Uscollegegop (June 25, 2025)."Tiffany 2026" (Tweet ).Archived from the original on July 8, 2025 – viaTwitter . ^ "Clear GOP Frontrunner Emerges For Wide Open Governor Race, Polling Shows" .The Daily Caller . RetrievedAugust 14, 2025 .^ Dahmer, David (October 20, 2025)."Small business owner Will Martin announces campaign for lieutenant governor of Wisconsin" .Madison365 . RetrievedOctober 20, 2025 . ^ Strzalka, Konrad (September 26, 2025)."Former Lancaster mayor enters Wisconsin lieutenant governor's race" .Telegraph Herald . RetrievedSeptember 26, 2025 . ^ "Sablich for Lt. Governor" .Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. RetrievedSeptember 15, 2025 .^ "Totz for Lt. Governor" .Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. RetrievedOctober 10, 2025 .^ "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. RetrievedSeptember 25, 2025 .^ "Green Party: Announcing candidate for WI Governor '26" .Wisconsin Green Party . RetrievedJuly 26, 2024 – viaWisPolitics .^ Dabruzzi, Anthony (July 25, 2025)."Wisconsin's race for governor continues to grow 13 months before the 2026 primary" .Spectrum News . RetrievedJuly 27, 2025 . ^ "Olive Committee" .Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. RetrievedAugust 21, 2025 .^ "Wisconsin Rebuild" .Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. RetrievedAugust 21, 2025 .^ "Washington County Exec Schoemann registers '26 guv bid" .WisPolitics . RetrievedMay 2, 2025 .Schoemann is one of two people to register for the race this week. Independent Alexander Kent, of La Crosse, filed on Tuesday. ^ "Mike Kohn for Governor" .Wisconsin Ethics Commission - Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance. RetrievedSeptember 15, 2025 .^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings" .Cook Political Report . RetrievedJanuary 23, 2025 .^ "Gubernatorial Ratings" .Inside Elections . RetrievedFebruary 7, 2025 .^ "2026 Governor" .Sabato's Crystal Ball . RetrievedMay 1, 2025 .^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026" .Race to the WH . RetrievedJune 30, 2025 .Official gubernatorial campaign websites Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites
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