Who's running for Wisconsin governor? These candidates have launched campaigns

Yahoo

31-07-2025

Wisconsin has a wide-open race for governor in 2026, and candidates from both sides of the aisle are starting to line up.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers opted not to seek a third term, opening the field for Democrats to launch or consider bids. Two Republicans jumped in before Evers' decision and more could join them.
Wisconsin's primary election is set for Aug. 11, 2026, to narrow the field for governor and other offices. The final candidates will move onto the Nov. 3 general election.
Here's a running list of candidates from major political parties who are campaigning for governor, in order of their announcement date. We'll update this list as more candidates officially join the race:
Josh Schoemann, Republican
Background: Washington County Executive, former county administrator and manager; Army National Guard veteran
Age: 43
Residence: Town of Trenton
Campaign website: https://www.joshschoemann.com/
Policy priorities include: Dismantling or improving the Wisconsin Elections Commission, cutting waste and bureaucracy in government, tax relief for families and retirees, ending "woke overreach" in education, promoting mental and physical health for veterans and first responders.
More: What to know about Josh Schoemann, first Republican to launch run for Wisconsin governor
Bill Berrien, Republican
Background: CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision, a New Berlin based manufacturing company; Navy SEAL veteran
Age: 56
Residence: Whitefish Bay
Campaign website: https://billforwisconsin.com/
Policy priorities include: Promoting Wisconsin's manufacturing industry, maintaining Wisconsin's 20-week abortion law, lowering taxes for families and small businesses, open to legalizing marijuana in some capacity, ensuring local law enforcement work help carry out deportations.
More: What to know about Bill Berrien, latest Republican to jump into Wisconsin governor race
Sara Rodriguez, Democrat
Background: Lieutenant governor since 2022; former state representative; nurse, former VP for Advocate Aurora Health, started health care consulting business
Age: 50
Residence: Brookfield
Campaign website: https://www.saraforwi.com/home
Policy priorities include: Boosting the health care workforce, funding public schools and giving teachers raises, legalizing and regulating marijuana, expanding Medicaid, reversing Act 10 restrictions on collective bargaining.
More: Who is Sara Rodriguez, the first Democrat to jump into Wisconsin governor's race?
Other possible candidates include Tom Tiffany, David Crowley
Other possible candidates are listed below but haven't officially launched campaigns. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he'll take steps to enter the race, while others have been quieter about their plans.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a Democrat
Northern Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany, a Republican
Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat
Businessman and 2024 Senate candidate Eric Hovde, a Republican
Businessman and 2022 governor candidate Tim Michels, a Republican
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democrat
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, a Democrat
State Sen. Kelda Roys, a Democrat
State Senate President Mary Felzkowski, a Republican
More: Here are the likely Republican and Democratic contenders for governor in 2026
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who's running for Wisconsin governor? Latest update of candidates