Wisconsin's Democratic Secretary of State declines to contest for the Governor position, instead considering a run for the post of Lieutenant Governor.
In a significant development for Wisconsin politics, the state is gearing up for its 2026 gubernatorial election, with a number of notable Democrats throwing their hats in the ring.
The potential Democratic candidates for governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election include:
- Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who has already entered the Democratic primary.
- Attorney General Josh Kaul, widely expected to be a top contender if he runs.
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
- Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
- State Sen. Kelda Roys.
- Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, 2022 U.S. Senate nominee.
- State Sen. Chris Larson.
- Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson.
- Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
- Zachary Roper, a college student, also declared but less prominent.
Wisconsin's current Lieutenant Governor, Sara Rodriguez, has announced her candidacy for governor, leaving the lieutenant governor position open. Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski has publicly stated she will not run for governor but is considering a bid for lieutenant governor in 2026. There are no other publicly confirmed or strongly reported Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor yet.
The announcement by Rodriguez marks the first major gubernatorial candidate to enter the race, creating an open race for lieutenant governor. Other candidates may emerge as the 2026 election approaches.
Democratic Governor Tony Evers has announced he won't seek a third term in Wisconsin, ending his tenure after two terms. Evers told reporters in Milwaukee on Monday that he is unlikely to endorse anyone in the primary.
On the Republican side, there are two announced candidates: Washington County Executive Josh Shoemann and manufacturer Bill Berrien. Other Republicans considering running for governor include U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and state Senate President Mary Felzkowski.
Former Republican Governor Scott Walker, who held office from 2011 until 2019, has released a video stating he would not be running for the office. Walker is now focused on his work as president of the Young America's Foundation, which tries to get college-aged conservatives involved in politics.
The 2026 gubernatorial race in Wisconsin is shaping up to be a closely contested one, with multiple candidates from both major parties vying for the top position. Stay tuned for more updates as the race unfolds.
| Position | Potential Democratic Candidates | |---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Governor | Sara Rodriguez, Josh Kaul, David Crowley, Cavalier Johnson, Kelda Roys, Mandela Barnes, Chris Larson, Tom Nelson, Ben Wikler, Zachary Roper | | Lieutenant Governor | Sarah Godlewski (potential), others not confirmed |
- The debate for Wisconsin's policy-and-legislation landscape in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election is intensifying, with a significant number of Democratic candidates such as Sara Rodriguez, Josh Kaul, David Crowley, Cavalier Johnson, Kelda Roys, Mandela Barnes, Chris Larson, Tom Nelson, Ben Wikler, and Zachary Roper vying for the Governor position.
- The politics of Wisconsin are in a state of flux, as the race for the Lieutenant Governor position unfolds, with only Sarah Godlewski (potential) and unconfirmed candidates in the picture, following the announcement of Sara Rodriguez's bid for the Governor seat.
