Tony Evers Won’t Seek a Third Term—Setting the Stage for a Pivotal 2026 Race in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced on July 24, 2025, that he will not seek a third term in office, marking the end of a decades-long career in public service. In a video message, the 73-year-old Democrat said he was “damn proud” of the work he had done for the people of Wisconsin, but that it was time to focus on his family. “Whether I’d win or not has never been part of my calculus,” Evers stated, signaling that his decision was personal and not political.

With Evers stepping aside, Wisconsin will have its first open gubernatorial race since 2010. The state’s constitution places no term limits on governors, and the only person in state history to win a third term was Republican Tommy Thompson, who served from 1987 to 2001. Evers’s decision not to run again has already begun reshaping the political landscape, turning the 2026 election into a fierce battleground contest in one of the country’s most closely watched swing states.

The race is already taking shape on both sides of the aisle. On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez has launched her campaign, hoping to make history as Wisconsin’s first female governor. She is expected to face a competitive field of potential challengers, including Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, State Senator Kelda Roys, and former state Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler.

Republicans are also preparing for a wide-open primary. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and businessman Bill Berrien, a former Navy SEAL, have formally declared their candidacies. Other possible contenders include U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, State Senate President Mary Felzkowski, and former U.S. Senate nominee Eric Hovde. Speculation surrounding a potential comeback bid from former Governor Scott Walker ended when he confirmed on July 27 that he would not run in 2026.

Tony Evers leaves office with a record defined by a steady leadership style amid divided government. His tenure saw constant friction with a Republican-controlled legislature, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He issued a series of vetoes on conservative-backed bills and pushed for progressive investments in education and health care. At the same time, he worked across the aisle to approve budgets that included tax cuts and increased funding for public services. Evers also played a key role in securing a court-ordered redrawing of Wisconsin’s legislative maps, which are now more favorable to Democrats.

His decision to step down is rooted in a desire to reclaim time with his wife, children, and grandchildren after years of public life. “They’re my world,” Evers said, adding that he looks forward to time spent fishing, hiking, and being present with his family. The move opens a new chapter for Wisconsin politics and raises the stakes for both parties heading into the 2026 election.

The general election will be held on November 3, 2026, and the outcome will be critical not only for the governor’s mansion but also for legislative control in a state deeply divided along partisan lines. With new electoral maps and Evers’s departure reshaping the field, the race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country. For Democrats, it’s a chance to build on Evers’s legacy and possibly flip the legislature. For Republicans, it’s an opportunity to reclaim the governorship and reshape policy direction after eight years of Democratic leadership.