Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced July 24 that he will not be seeking a third term in the office he has held for six years, leaving state residents wondering who will step up to take his position in the future, according to WisPolitics. The announcement brought about a significant amount of buzz, both from people reflecting on Evers’ impacts while in office and citizens wondering what this change will mean for the future of Wisconsin, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
As the primaries kick into gear, a wide array of politicians from both parties have shown interest in running, and prospective candidates show a likelihood of a crowded primary, according to MJS.
Some Republicans, including President of College Republicans of UW-Madison Courtney Graves, believes that Evers’ campaigns — such as his fight for better public education in Wisconsin — fell short of his previously voiced commitments.
“I think that Gov. Evers leaves behind a legacy of executive overreach and broken promises. Wisconsin is ready for a change. Having competitive primaries on both sides of the aisle for the 2026 race provides a great chance to do so,” Graves said.
People on either side of the political divide have expressed their anticipation for the primaries of this election. Vice Chair of College Democrats of UW-Madison Ty Schanhofer also shared his perspective on the matter.
“I think most people agree we’re going to have a pretty expansive primary season, so it’s going to be interesting to see who’s going to take the mantle and lead the party in the state going forward,” Schanhofer said.
On the Democratic side, many elected officials have shown interest in running for governor through their farewells to Evers, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. Several have already begun campaigning, while others have hinted at future campaigns, according to MJS.
Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez announced her campaign soon after Gov. Evers’ own announcement not to seek a third term, according to MJS. Rodriguez has a background in healthcare and hopes to lead Wisconsin forward by putting its people first if elected, according to MJS. Rodriguez considers policies such as healthcare, teachers’ salaries and abortion rights to be important topics, according to her campaign page.
Ryan Strnad is another Democrat who has launched an official run for governor, according to MJS. Strnad is an Army veteran and American Family Field beer vendor from Muskego who emphasizes improving the working class, backing the police, abortion rights and the environment in his campaign, according to his campaign website.
Wisconsin State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, said she is likely to launch a campaign for governor in the coming days. She said she believes the next governor of Wisconsin should prioritize the well-being of their residents.
“Wisconsin is a very important swing state, and what we’re seeing right now from the Republican regime is skyrocketing costs, chaos and corruption on a scale we’ve never seen before,” Roys said. “The incompetence and cruelty of this administration cannot be overstated, and we need leadership in Wisconsin that is going to protect Wisconsin families from the worst outcomes of these chaotic policies.”
As for Republican candidates, Washington County Executive and Army National Guard veteran Josh Schoemann was the first Republican to declare his run, according to MJS. Schoemann’s campaign revolves around putting everyday people first and making the American dream a reality, according to his campaign website.
CEO of the New Berlin-based manufacturing company Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision Bill Berrien, also made his campaign official in recent months, according to MJS. As for political policies, Berrien is emphasizing lowering taxes, working with Wisconsin law enforcement to carry out deportations and pushing Wisconsin’s manufacturing economy forward, according to MJS.
The primaries for this election are expected to be crowded, with many other politicians planning on or hinting at launching campaigns in the near future.
Considering the extent of these primaries and the importance of this election in a state like Wisconsin, a swing state, college students can get involved in the process in many different ways. Student organizations, partisan and nonpartisan, have many opportunities for students to get their voices heard and encourage others to vote in coming elections, Roys said.
“This is a very exciting and important time to get involved,” Roys said. “If you’re particularly passionate about an issue, get involved in an organization that is working on those issues.”
