2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1] Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers declined to seek re-election to a third term.[2]
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November 3, 2026
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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, less than one percentage point.[3] This is the first Wisconsin gubernatorial election since 2010 in which the incumbent was not seeking re-election.[4]
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).[3] 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.[3] 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.[5]
Incumbent Democratic governor Tony Evers was first elected in 2018, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Scott Walker.[6] He was re-elected by a slightly larger margin in 2022, defeating Republican businessman Tim Michels.[7] 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.[8]
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
Declared
- Kirk Bangstad, business owner[9]
- Mandela Barnes, former lieutenant governor (2019–2023) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022[10]
- Joel Brennan, former secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration (2019–2022)[11]
- David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive (2020–present)[12]
- Francesca Hong, state representative from the 76th district (2021–present)[13]
- Missy Hughes, former CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (2019–2025)[14]
- Brett Hulsey, former state representative from the 78th district (2011–2015) and candidate for governor in 2014[15]
- Sara Rodriguez, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present)[16]
- Zachary Roper, college student and nominee for Wisconsin's 84th Assembly district in 2024[17]
- Kelda Roys, state senator from the 26th district (2021–present), candidate for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2018[18]
Withdrawn
- Tim Jacobson, Oshkosh defense assembler[19] (ran for Winnebago County Board of Supervisors)[20]
- Ryan Strnad, stadium vendor (endorsed Crowley)[21]
Declined
- Tony Evers, incumbent governor (2019–present)[2]
- Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin Secretary of State (2023–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 (running for lieutenant governor)[22]
- Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee (2021–present) (endorsed Crowley)[23]
- Josh Kaul, Attorney General of Wisconsin (2019–present) (running for re-election)[24]
- Tip McGuire, state representative from the 64th district (2019–present)[25]
- Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–2025) and candidate for Democratic National Committee chair in 2025[26]
Endorsements
Mandela Barnes
- U.S. senators
- Adam Schiff, California (2024–present)[27]
- State legislators
- Angelina Cruz, state representative from the 62nd district (2025–present)[28]
- Tod Ohnstad, former state representative from the 65th district (2013–2025)[28]
- Sandy Pasch, former state representative from the 10th district (2013–2015) and 22nd district (2009–2013)[28]
- Amaad Rivera-Wagner, state representative from the 90th district (2025–present)[28]
- Municipal officials
- Eric Genrich, mayor of Green Bay (2019–present) and former state representative from the 90th district (2013–2019)[29]
- Labor unions
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473[30]
- Organizations
Joel Brennan
- Executive branch officials
- Tom Barrett, former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg (2022–2025), former mayor of Milwaukee (2004–2021), and former U.S. representative from WI–04 (1993–2003)[33]
- State legislators
- Brad Pfaff, state senator from the 32nd district (2021–present)[34]
David Crowley
- State legislators
- Kalan Haywood, state representative from the 16th district (2019–present)[35]
- Municipal officials
- Cavalier Johnson, mayor of Milwaukee (2021–present)[23]
- Marcelia Nicholson, chair of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors (2020–present) from the 10th district (2016–present)[23]
- José Pérez, president of the Milwaukee Common Council (2022–present) from the 12th district (2012–present)[23]
- Labor unions
Francesca Hong
- U.S. representatives
- State legislators
- Nina Turner, Ohio state senator from the 25th district (2008–2014)[37]
- Individuals
- Qasim Rashid, attorney[37]
- Organizations
- AAPI Victory Fund[39]
- Center for Freethought Equality (co-endorsement with Roys)[40]
- Korean Americans for Organizing Fund[41]
- Wisconsin Electoral Socialists[42][43]
- Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America[44]
- Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America[45]
Sara Rodriguez
- Statewide officials
- Austin Davis, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania (2023–present)[46]
- State legislators
- Ben DeSmidt, state representative from the 65th district (2025–present)[47]
- Joan Fitzgerald, state representative from the 46th district (2025–present)[47]
- Gary Hebl, former state representative from the 46th district (2005–2023)[47]
- Andrew Hysell, state representative from the 48th district (2025–present)[47]
- Beth Meyers, former state representative from the 74th district (2015–2023)[47]
- Maureen McCarville, state representative from the 42nd district (2025–present)[47]
- Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, state representative from the 8th district (2021–present)[47]
- Janis Ringhand, former state senator from the 15th district (2015–2023)[47]
- Robert Wirch, state senator from the 22nd district (1997–present)[47]
- Municipal officials
- Regina Vidaver, president of the Madison Common Council (2025–present) from the 5th district (2021–present)[47]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Kelda Roys
- State legislators
- Chris Danou, former state representative from the 91st and 92nd districts (2009–2013; 2013–2017)[50]
- Jessica King, former state senator from the 18th district (2011–2013)[50]
- Karen Kirsch, state representative from the 7th district (2025–present)[50]
- Gary Sherman, former state representative from the 74th district (1999–2010)[50]
- Local officials
- Tom Nelson, Outagamie County executive (2011–present)[50]
- John Norquist, former Mayor of Milwaukee (1988–2004)[50]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
- Center for Freethought Equality (co-endorsement with Hong)[40]
Declined to endorse
- U.S. representatives
- Mark Pocan, WI–02 (2013–present)[52]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of January 15, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Mandela Barnes (D) | $555,647 | $88,265 | $471,471 |
| Joel Brennan (D) | $566,212 | $13,872 | $552,339 |
| David Crowley (D) | $789,281 | $187,529 | $602,181 |
| Francesca Hong (D) | $368,685 | $234,782 | $134,588 |
| Missy Hughes (D) | $465,402 | $63,058 | $402,343 |
| Brett Hulsey (D) | $1,904 | $0 | $1,904 |
| Sara Rodriguez (D) | $618,284 | $135,493 | $603,075 |
| Zachary Roper (D) | N/A | ||
| Kelda Roys (D) | $355,455 | $84,930 | $334,032 |
| Ryan Strnad (D)[a] | $20,785 | $19,630 | $1,072 |
| Source: Wisconsin Ethics Commission[53] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
David Crowley |
Francesca Hong |
Kelda Roys |
Mandela Barnes |
Missy Hughes |
Sara Rodriguez |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University[54] | March 11–18, 2026 | 393 (RV) | ± 6.7% | 3% | 14% | 1% | 11% | 1% | 3% | 2%[c] | 65% |
| Patriot Polling (R)[55] | March 10–16, 2026 | – (LV) | – | 6% | 27% | – | 18% | – | 6% | 43% | |
| Marquette University[56] | February 11–19, 2026 | 394 (RV) | ± 6.9% | 3% | 11% | 1% | 10% | 2% | 6% | 3%[d] | 65% |
| TIPP Insights (R)[57][A] | February 6–12, 2026 | 1,524 (RV) | ± 2.7% | 7% | 5% | 2% | 28% | 1% | 20% | 1%[e] | 35% |
| TIPP Insights (R)[58][A] | November 17–21, 2025 | 589 (LV) | – | 6% | – | 1% | 21% | 2% | 6% | 11%[f] | 52% |
| Marquette University[59] | October 15–22, 2025 | 378 (RV) | ± 6.9% | 3% | 6% | 3% | – | 2% | 4% | 0%[g] | 81% |
| Platform Communications[60] | September 28–30, 2025 | – (LV) | – | 7% | 4% | 4% | 16% | 2% | 8% | 20%[h] | 39% |
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Declared
- Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin Secretary of State (2023–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[22]
Declined
- Sara Rodriguez, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) (running for governor)[16]
Endorsements
Sarah Godlewski
- U.S. representatives
- Mark Pocan, WI-02 (2013–present)[52]
- Statewide officials
- Barbara Lawton, former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin (2003–2011)[61]
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
Declared
- Andy Manske, medical service technician[62]
- Tom Tiffany, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district (2020–present)[63]
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[64]
Withdrawn
- Bill Berrien, manufacturing executive[65]
- Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive (2020–present)[66]
Declined
- Rohn W. Bishop, mayor of Waupun, Wisconsin (2022–present)[67]
- Eric Hovde, bank executive, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 and candidate in 2012[68]
- Ron Johnson, U.S. senator (2011–present)[69]
- Mary Felzkowski, president of the Wisconsin Senate (2025–present) from the 12th district (2021–present)[70]
- Bill McCoshen, WTMJ-TV host and owner of the Janesville Jets[71]
- Tim Michels, co-owner of the Michels Corporation, nominee for governor in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2004[72]
- Matt Neumann, business owner[72]
- Bryan Steil, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district (2019–present)[73] (running for re-election; endorsed Tiffany)[74][75]
- Scott Walker, former governor (2011–2019)[76]
Endorsements
Tom Tiffany
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[77]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip (2023–present) from MN-06 (2015–present)[78]
- Scott Fitzgerald, WI-05 (2021–present)[79]
- Glenn Grothman, WI-06 (2015–present)[80]
- Harriet Hageman, WY-AL (2023–present)[81]
- Jim Jordan, OH-04 (2007–present)[82]
- Troy Nehls, TX-22 (2021–present)[83]
- Bryan Steil, WI-01 (2019–present)[75]
- Derrick Van Orden, WI-03 (2023–present)[84]
- Tony Wied, WI-08 (2024–present)[85]
- State officials
- Kelly Armstrong, governor of North Dakota (2024–present)[86]
- State Legislators
- Angie Sapik former state representative from the 73rd district (2023–2025)[77]
- Municipal officials
- Labor unions
- Organizations
- Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin[93]
- College Republicans of America[94]
- Turning Point Action[95]
- Wisconsin College Republicans[96]
- Wisconsin Young Republicans[97]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Bill Berrien |
Andy Manske |
Josh Schoemann |
Tom Tiffany |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University[54] | March 11–18, 2026 | 396 (RV) | ± 6.3% | – | 6% | – | 40% | 0%[j] | 54% |
| Patriot Polling (R)[55] | March 10–16, 2026 | – (LV) | – | – | 8% | – | 65% | 27% | |
| Marquette University[56] | February 11–19, 2026 | 371 (RV) | ± 6.4% | – | 2% | – | 35% | – | 63% |
| Schoemann withdraws from the race | |||||||||
| Marquette University[59] | October 15–22, 2025 | 406 (RV) | ± 6.9% | – | 0% | 6% | 23% | – | 70% |
| Berrien withdraws from the race | |||||||||
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[98] | July 28–31, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 10% | – | 13% | 40% | – | 37% |
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Eric Hovde |
Josh Schoemann |
Mary Felzkowski |
Tim Michels |
Tom Tiffany |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIPP Insights (R)[58][A] | November 17-21, 2025 | 586 (LV) | – | 25% | 5% | – | 12% | 17% | 2%[k] | 37% |
| Platform Communications[60] | September 28–30, 2025 | – (LV) | – | 14% | 4% | 1% | 9% | 30% | 9%[l] | 33% |
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Declared
- Will Martin, former director of strategic workforce initiatives for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022[99]
- Cyril Sablich, college student[100]
- John Totz, Oakfield school board member[100]
- David Varnam, former mayor of Lancaster (2016–2022) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022[101]
Withdrawn
- Nick Polce, business owner and candidate for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in 2018 (running for state senate)[102]
Minor parties and independents
Green Party
Declared
- Jill Ferguson, retiree[103]
Independents
Declared
Filed paperwork
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[111] | Tossup | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[112] | Tossup | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[113] | Tossup | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[114] | Tossup | September 11, 2025 |
Polling
Mandela Barnes vs. Tom Tiffany
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Mandela Barnes (D) |
Tom Tiffany (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIPP Insights (R)[115][116][A] | March 13–19, 2026 | 1,175 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 43% | 41% | 6%[m] | 10% |
| 1,495 (RV) | ± 2.7% | 40% | 38% | 7%[n] | 15% | ||
| Impact Research (D)[117][B] | October 2–8, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 50% | 44% | – | 7% |
David Crowley vs. Tom Tiffany
Francesca Hong vs. Tom Tiffany
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Francesca Hong (D) |
Tom Tiffany (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIPP Insights (R)[115][116][A] | March 13–19, 2026 | 1,175 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 40% | 43% | 6%[m] | 12% |
| 1,495 (RV) | ± 2.7% | 37% | 40% | 7%[n] | 16% | ||
| Patriot Polling (R)[55] | March 10–16, 2026 | 812 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 42% | 46% | 12% | |
Sara Rodriguez vs. Tom Tiffany
Hypothetical polling
Mandela Barnes vs. Tim Michels
Generic Democrat vs. generic Republican
See also
Notes
- Withdrawn
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Joel Brennan with 2%; Brett Hulsey and Zachary Roper with 0%
- Brennan at 2% and Brett Hulsey at 1%.
- Brett Hulsey at 1% and Joel Brennan at 0%
- Josh Kaul with 8%; Sarah Godlewski with 3%
- Brett Hulsey and Ryan Strnad with 0%
- "None of the candidates" with 12%; Josh Kaul with 7%; Ben Wikler with 1%
- "Refused" with 0%
- Kevin Nicholson with 2%
- "None of the candidates" with 9%
- "Someone else" with 6%
- "Someone else" with 7%
- "Someone else" with 5%
- Partisan clients