Preparations are underway for next year’s governor’s race

MADISON, Wis. — The new year could bring monumental changes to Wisconsin’s political landscape.

Voters in 2026 will decide the state’s first open gubernatorial race since 2010 following Gov. Tony Evers’ decision to not seek a third term.

Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, are the two candidates still in the Republican primary.

WisGOP Chair Brian Schimming said he likes where his party stands heading into 2026.

“We feel really good. I’m happy with my candidates for governor. They’re all off to a good start, and the Democrat primary is a mess right now,” Schimming said.

The Democratic primary includes such names as former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and state legislators Kelda Roys, D-Madison, and Francesca Hong, D-Madison.

Schimming said none of the Democratic candidates are right for Wisconsin.

“You have several people there who have voting records, and so their voting records do not square with the people of this state on tax and spending issues,” Schimming said.

Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki said a robust primary helps voters find the right candidate for them. He also said it’s beneficial for the party, as long as it’s a clean race.

“When the candidates who are trying to get a nomination are focused on the issues and the differences between them on those issues, that’s what I call a fair fight,” Zepecki said.

Zepecki said he believes Barnes is emerging as the frontrunner. He added that the primary election isn’t until August, which gives the other candidates a chance to compete.

“The first job if you’re one of those candidates other than Mandela is to distinguish yourself and try to get into a reality where there’s no longer a clear frontrunner,” Zepecki said.

The most recent Marquette University Law School Poll on the governor’s race showed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley with a voter recognition of 26%.

That was the highest percentage of any candidate other than Barnes on the Democratic side. To boost those percentages, Zepecki said candidates need to focus on the issues that matter most to Wisconsinites.

“How can Wisconsin as a state grow industry, create jobs, raise wages and make it easier for families to afford to live?” Zepecki said.

Tiffany had the highest name recognition of anyone in the race at 39%. Schimming said whether it’s Tiffany or Schoemann, the priorities of his party remain the same.

“Voting early, making sure the vote is secure, making sure you have good candidates, your grassroots are fired up, you’re running good campaigns,” Schimming said.

The next major benchmark in the race is coming in a few weeks.

Campaigns are required to file finance reports with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission by Jan. 15.