On July 24, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced he would not be seeking re-election after working 50 years in public service. This announcement has set in motion the first open election WI has seen since 2010.
Since Evers’ announcement, ten candidates on both sides of the political aisle have announced their run for state governor, including seven democrats and three republicans. These are the candidates running for governor:
Tom Tiffany, Republican
Tiffany is currently a U.S. Representative for the 7th district of WI, a position he’s held since 2020. He has previously served as a state legislator. On his candidate website, Tiffany says he will freeze property taxes, do away with Gov. Evers’ 400-year revenue increase for schools, and cut regulations to make housing, childcare and healthcare more affordable.
Josh Schoemann, Republican
Schoemann currently serves as a Washington County executive. Schoemann’s website states his goals are to promote and ensure a small government, improve veteran services, and give control back to communities.
Andy Manske, Republican
Manske is a political outsider, currently serving as a medical service tech. A Milwaukee native, he plans to reform property taxes, legalize marijuana, improve road infrastructure, and build a high-speed rail for WI.
Sara Rodriguez, Democrat
Rodriguez currently serves as Lieutenant governor of WI, a position she was elected into in 2022. She has previously represented Waukesha and Milwaukee counties in the state Assembly. Rodriguez aims to cut costs and prioritize safety in WI communities, defend reproductive freedom, and strengthen WI schools.
Missy Hughes, Democrat
Hughes was formerly the CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation until she stepped down to run for governor. She was also an executive for Organic Valley, a dairy company. Hughes’ goals are to make housing affordable, improve WI wages and make child care and healthcare more affordable, with a focus on a “Main Street” economy.
David Crowley, Democrat
Crowley had been a Milwaukee County Executive since 2020 and previously represented Milwaukee County in the state Assembly. Crowley intends to empower local communities, lower housing costs and expand the middle class of WI.
Francesca Hong, Democrat
Hong has represented a Madison district in the state Legislature since 2021. She was formerly a chef and highlights her service industry experience. Hong says she aims to represent working class people as governor by supporting fully funding public schools, universal childcare and affordable healthcare.
Ryan Strnad, Democrat
Strnad is one of two outsider candidates running for the Democratic Primary, currently working as a beer vendor at American Family Field. Strnad hopes to improve the WI working class, put healthcare administration on a “tight leash”, back the police and support quality education.
Kelda Roys, Democrat
Roys is currently a WI state senator, having served in the state Legislature since 2021. She has previously served in the state Assembly. Her website states her goals are to stand up to the Trump administration, create economic opportunity for all, champion public education and build affordable housing.
Brett Hulsey, Democrat
Hulsey is a former state representative from Madison and Dane County Board member who, according to his campaign announcement, runs an energy and environmental small business. His goals, if elected, include reducing carbon emissions to net zero in all Wisconsin buildings, supporting clean energy and jobs and investing in schools.
