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In Wisconsin, Evers’ retirement opens up governor’s race

July 25, 2025

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced he will not seek a third term, opening up a competitive race in this key battleground state. Lt. Gov.

Who is affected

  • Wisconsin voters and residents
  • Current Democratic Governor Tony Evers and his family
  • Potential Democratic candidates (Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, and others)
  • Declared Republican candidates (Josh Schoemann and Bill Berrier)
  • The Wisconsin state legislature, which has a Republican majority
  • Political parties attempting to control this battleground state

What action is being taken

  • Governor Tony Evers is declining to run for a third term to spend more time with family
  • Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is actively campaigning for the Democratic nomination
  • Various prominent Democrats are considering entering the primary race
  • Republicans Josh Schoemann and Bill Berrier are running campaigns for the GOP primary

Why it matters

  • Wisconsin is a crucial battleground state with consistently close elections
  • The state has demonstrated a pattern of ticket-splitting in recent elections
  • This will be one of 36 governorships up for election in 2026
  • Wisconsin is one of five Democratic-led states won by Trump in 2024 holding gubernatorial elections in 2026
  • The governor will work with a state legislature that has been Republican-majority, though redistricting may give Democrats more influence

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th