As Tony Evers retires, possible candidates emerge for Wisconsin governor’s race

Wisconsin’s political world was turned upside down Thursday by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ announcement that he won’t seek a third term in office. Now, Democrats and Republicans alike are thinking about jumping into what political analysts expect to be crowded primaries.

Evers’ announcement came in a video posted to social media just after noon Thursday. Within minutes, statements were pouring in from Democrats filled with thanks and well wishes, and from political hopefuls in both parties hinting that they might run for governor.

Mordecai Lee, an emeritus professor of politics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said Evers’ decision shows how “Wisconsin voters have a kind of invisible term limit for governors.” The only governor to win more than two four-year terms in Wisconsin history was Republican Tommy Thompson, and that was three decades years ago.

“So, I think he (Evers) made the right decision,” said Lee. “I think this was to be expected, if only because we’ve been seeing such a fast reaction from the potential candidates.”

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Political Science Professor Anthony Chergosky said he’d “gone back and forth” about whether another Evers run would come with an incumbency advantage.

“At the same time, there had been a lot of talk about his age and maybe just the general challenges of winning a third term, and the discussion about how it might be harder for a governor to win a third term,” Chergosky said. 

In late June, the Marquette University Law School released a statewide poll showing more than half of the registered voters that responded were against another Evers run. Still, that same survey showed the governor was the most popular political figure in Wisconsin.

Democratic primary 2026: the floodgates have opened

In the hours after Evers’ announcement, a long list of Democrats who’ve been floated as potential 2026 candidates sent out statements thanking the governor for his years of service.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is widely expected to be a top contender should he run, posted a statement on social media saying Evers “fundamentally changed” the direction of Wisconsin and left the state better off as a result. 

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez lauded Evers for leading Wisconsin “with integrity, compassion and a deep belief in doing what’s right” in a statement sent from a campaign email.

Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, thanked Evers for his “abiding normalcy” during his two terms as governor and “lifetime of service as an educator.” 

Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski described Evers as “a steady hand and a true public servant for Wisconsin.” 

Former Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler said Wisconsin “owes a profound debt of gratitude to Governor Evers” and described him as “one of the kindest, decent, and most public-spirited people” he’s ever met.

Later in the day, reporters were busy reaching out to other Democrats in the state who had been considered potential candidates. In an interview with CBS58, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said Evers “has been an outstanding governor.” When asked whether he’d consider running for the open seat, Johnson said it’s something he’s been interested in.

In an interview with WPR, former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said the thought of running for governor “has certainly crossed my mind with this new reality” though he said he’d take time to consider entering the race. 

UW-Milwaukee’s Lee said people shouldn’t be surprised to hear speculation and hints of a crowded Democratic primary leading into the 2026 election because the last time there was an open seat for governor was 2010.

“You’ve only got a one in 10 chance of beating an incumbent,” Lee said. “But running for a vacancy, you know, that’s a chance of a generation, and it looks to me like both parties have a very deep bench.”

UW-La Crosse’s Chergosky agreed and said a packed field on both sides of the political aisle is “really going to make this a bit unusual for many Wisconsin voters.”

“If it’s going to be a cast of thousands on the Democratic Party side running for governor, then it behooves potential candidates to start getting ready now and launch a campaign quickly,” Chergosky said.

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker teases gubernatorial run following Evers announcement

Wisconsin business executive Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann are the two GOP candidates officially in the mix for governor. But Evers’ decision prompted a tease from another prominent Republican.

Former Gov. Scott Walker posted a picture on the social media site X of an embroidered “Make Wisconsin Great Again” hat with “45-47” on the side.

The numbers are both a nod to the 45th and 47th U.S. President Donald Trump, but also a nod to Walker himself. That’s because if he were to be reelected next year, he’d be the 45th and 47th Wisconsin governor. 

An earlier version of Walker’s post included a winking face emoji.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany had already teased a potential run for governor on social media by way of a picture posted to social media of him holding a fish on a frozen Northwoods lake. Following Evers’ announcement, Tiffany posted again and thanked Evers for his service, while claiming the Democrat “leaves behind a legacy of decline” including a structural deficit in the recently enacted state budget.

“We must change course before we end up like MN and IL,” Tiffany said.

Evers and Wisconsin’s top Republicans in the state Legislature have vigorously battled throughout the governor’s first two terms. But with his retirement announcement, there appeared to be a bit of a truce.

In a statement, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said “no matter what side of the political aisle we stand on” the decision to run for statewide office “comes with many personal sacrifices that are worthy of recognition.”

“I want to thank Governor Evers for his service to the state of Wisconsin,” Vos said. “I wish him and Kathy well as they prepare to retire to private life.”

State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, who had recently helped Evers pass a bipartisan budget, was equally conciliatory. In his statement, LeMahieu said Evers has “dutifully served the State of Wisconsin as an educator, state superintendent, and governor.”

“While we did not always agree on a shared vision for our state, I’d like to thank Governor Evers for his service and his willingness to work across party lines,” LeMahieu said.