Wisconsin’s Democratic governor, Tony Evers, announced on July 24 that he will not seek a third term, creating the first open race for governor in the battleground state in 16 years.
It will be Wisconsin’s highest profile race next year, as Democrats also angle to take control of the Legislature thanks to redrawn election maps that are friendlier to the party. They are also targeting two congressional districts as Democrats nationwide try to retake the House.
The Legislature has been under Republican control since 2011, and some Democrats had hoped that Governor Evers, 73, would run for a third term to give him a chance to potentially work with a Democratic-controlled one.
In a video announcing his decision, Governor Evers said he was “damn proud” of working 50 years in public service. But he said it was time to focus on his family.
“For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service,” Governor Evers said. “They’re my world and I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together.”
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES
The open race is sure to attract several Democratic and Republican candidates. Democrats mentioned as potential candidates include Attorney General Josh Kaul, Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, state Senator Kelda Roys, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
In a statement, County Executive Crowley praised Governor Evers for his leadership through the pandemic and his support for Milwaukee County during a critical time of need.
“Governor Tony Evers has served the people of Wisconsin with dignity, integrity, and compassion,” Crowley said. “During his 50 years as a teacher, superintendent, and public servant, Governor Evers has worked tirelessly to foster brighter futures for our kids, create prosperity for working families, and deliver investments that are moving our community forward.”
When Crowley took office, Milwaukee County was in the middle of a global pandemic. His administration worked daily to navigate the crisis, support vulnerable residents, and keep the community healthy and safe. During that tumultuous period, Governor Evers worked alongside county leaders, showing strength, compassion, and a commitment to doing what was right for Milwaukee County.
As the state transitioned toward recovery, Crowley said the governor partnered with local governments to invest in affordable housing, health services, childcare, economic development, and public safety. He pointed to the passage of Wisconsin Act 12 as a critical milestone that delivered new revenue streams to the county and addressed longstanding financial shortfalls.
“Simply put, Milwaukee County is stronger, healthier, and better off because of the leadership and partnership of Governor Evers,” Crowley said.
Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and suburban Milwaukee businessman Bill Berrien are running as Republicans. Others, including U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany and state Senate President Mary Felzkowski, are considering it.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, said whichever Republican wins the primary will be “too extreme for Wisconsin,” and she pledged to keep the office under Democratic control.
The last open race for governor was in 2010, when Democratic incumbent Jim Doyle, similar to Governor Evers, opted not to seek a third term. Republican Scott Walker won that year and served two terms before Governor Evers defeated him in 2018.
The only Wisconsin governor to be elected to a third four-year term was Republican Tommy Thompson, who served from 1987 to 2001. He resigned midway through his fourth term.
Governor Evers won his first race by just over 1 percentage point in 2018. He won reelection by just over 3 points in 2022.
Before being elected governor, Evers worked for 10 years as state superintendent of education after a career as a teacher and school administrator.
GOVERNOR EVERS OFTEN ATTACKED BY REPUBLICANS
Governor Evers has drawn the ire of Donald Trump’s autocratic regime, and his tenure has been marked by his often contentious relationship with the Legislature.
Before Governor Evers even took office, Republicans convened a lame-duck session to pass a package of laws to weaken his power.
Governor Evers angered Republicans during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when he ordered schools and nonessential businesses to close, issued a statewide mask mandate and tried, unsuccessfully, to delay the state’s April presidential primary.
Republicans broke with tradition to reject 21 Evers appointees. They also blocked many of his proposals, including expanding Medicaid, legalizing marijuana and spending more on child care, K-12 schools and higher education.
Governor Evers used his broad veto powers to stop Republicans from enacting a wide range of conservative priorities, including making voting requirements more strict, expanding gun rights, growing the private school voucher program and making abortions more difficult to obtain.
But Governor Evers did work with Republicans to pass the most recent state budget, which included $1.5 billion in tax cuts prioritized by the GOP and more funding for both K-12 special education and the University of Wisconsin. Governor Evers also worked with Republicans to keep the Brewers in Milwaukee and funnel more money to local governments.
Governor Evers pushed for the redrawing of Wisconsin’s legislative boundary lines, which the state Supreme Court ordered after liberal justices gained a majority in 2023.
The maps drawn by Republicans, which had been in place for more than a decade, were widely regarded as among the most gerrymandered in the country. The new maps drawn by Governor Evers are more favorable to Democrats and helped them pick up seats in last November’s election. Democrats are optimistic that they can win control of at least one legislative chamber next year.
Governor Evers waited until after he signed the state budget before making his retirement announcement.
THE FOLKSY GOVERNOR
Governor Evers positioned himself as a folksy governor who would sprinkle the occasional mild swear word into his comments and other Midwestern colloquialisms such as “holy mackerel” and “folks.” His mild-mannered demeanor stood in stark contrast to Trump and other political firebrands.
“I think he is the most quintessential Wisconsin politician I’ve ever seen,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who has been in elected office since the 1990s.
Governor Evers summed up his approach by saying, “I promised you when I ran for this office that I’d always work to do the right thing, that I’d always give it to you straight, and that I’d always try to be a governor for all of Wisconsin.”
After winning reelection in 2022, Governor Evers noted that he is frequently described as boring, but said: “As it turns out, boring wins.”
