Wisconsin Governor Announces Decision Not to Seek Re-Election, Paving Way for GOP

Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced Thursday that he will not seek a third term, ending a polarizing tenure that frequently put him at odds with the state’s conservative legislature. The decision opens the door for Republicans to retake the governor’s mansion in the key battleground state.

Evers, 73, claimed his decision was motivated by a desire to spend more time with family after five decades in politics. “For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world, and I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together. It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term,” Evers said. He insisted he would have won had he chosen to run, but added, “Whether I’d win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again.”

Evers’ current term ends on January 4, 2027, and his departure ensures a competitive open race in 2026. Wisconsin was one of the most fiercely contested states in the 2024 presidential election, with President Donald Trump winning by roughly 30,000 votes a sign that Republicans have regained momentum in the state.

The political landscape:

• Democratic contenders: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson are all rumored to be eyeing the Democratic nomination.

• Republican hopefuls: Washington County Executive Joe Schoemann and manufacturing CEO Bill Berrien have officially launched campaigns, with former Senate candidate Eric Hovde, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, and businessman Tim Michels also considering bids.

• Berrien’s reaction: “Tony Evers is too scared to run on the Madison Democrats’ record of failure,” Berrien said. “I’m going to spend the next 15 months making sure whoever the Madison liberals pick from their bench of radical career politicians learns the same lesson.”

Evers has faced fierce criticism for blocking conservative legislation during his tenure. In 2023, he vetoed a bill that would have protected children from irreversible transgender surgeries and hormone treatments legislation passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. “Protecting children from invasive and irreversible medical interventions is the right thing to do from both a scientific and ethical standpoint,” former GOP State Sen. Duey Stroebel said at the time.

Evers, however, defended his veto by framing the bill as harmful to LGBT youth. “This type of legislation, and the rhetoric beget by pursuing it, harms LGBTQ people and kids’ mental health, emboldens anti-LGBTQ hate and violence, and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites,” he said.

The governor has also repeatedly blocked conservative-backed bills on election integrity, abortion restrictions, and gun rights positions that Republicans argue are wildly out of touch with Wisconsin voters.

With Evers stepping aside, Republicans now see a clear path to reclaiming leadership in the state. Wisconsin, which helped propel Trump to a decisive 2024 victory, will likely be a top target for the GOP in 2026 as it looks to cement control ahead of the next presidential election cycle.

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