2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Country:Wisconsin
Type:gubernatorial
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2022
Next Election:2030 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Next Year:2030
Election Date:November 3, 2026
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:Tony Evers
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers is eligible to run for re-election to a third term but has not yet announced whether he will do so. This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state won by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and the state with the closest presidential margin of victory at R+0.9.[1]

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, a governor’s race decided by a point in 2018). 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.

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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Green primary

Candidates

Declared

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gilbert . Craig . Gilbert: How small voting shifts made Wisconsin the closest state in the nation . November 26, 2024 . . November 25, 2024 . en-US.
  2. News: Shafer . Dan . December 21, 2023 . David Crowley 'possibly' interested in running for governor in 2026 . March 28, 2024 . The Recombobulation Area.
  3. News: Johnson . Shawn . July 11, 2024 . Milwaukee’s Democratic mayor helped land the RNC. He’s ready for the spotlight . July 16, 2024 . Wisconsin Public Radio.
  4. Web site: Katzenberger . Tyler . Beer vendor for governor? Wisconsin's Ryan Strnad opens the door for a 2026 run if Tony Evers doesn't . . 27 June 2023.
  5. News: Shafer . Dan . Wikler could be 'goldilocks candidate' for DNC chair . November 20, 2024 . Civic Media . November 20, 2024 . en.
  6. News: Andrea . Lawrence . Bice . Daniel . November 11, 2024 . After an intense election season, the political focus shifts to state races in Wisconsin . subscription . November 12, 2024 . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  7. Web site: Walters . Steven . 2024-08-01 . Who might run for Wisconsin governor in 2026? . 2024-08-29 . . en-us.
  8. July 26, 2024 . Green Party: Announcing candidate for WI Governor '26 . July 26, 2024 . . WisPolitics.

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