Farewell, Governor Evers — Thanks for Everything
Governor Tony Evers has officially announced he will not seek a third term in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election. His decision caps off over five decades in public service and ends his statewide tenure after two terms.
In his announcement, Evers emphasized personal reasons — notably the desire to spend more time with family—and expressed pride in his service to the state. The exit of a widely respected gubernatorial figure leaves many Wisconsinites feeling a bittersweet mix of gratitude and uncertainty: sadness to see his steady leadership leave, and curiosity about who will step into the breach.
Who’s Entering the Race (and Who’s On Deck)
With Wisconsin’s first open governor’s race since 2010 underway, speculation is heating up on the Democratic side. Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez is already in the race, launching her campaign by sharply criticizing Trump-era policy and pledging to continue Evers’ progressive legacy. Potential Democratic contenders include Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and state Sen. Kelda Roys.
On the Republican side, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and businessman Bill Berrien (a former Navy SEAL and Trump-aligned outsider) have officially launched campaigns. Others like Rep. Tom Tiffany, Eric Hovde, and former Gov. Scott Walker have expressed interest or are rumored to be considering runs.
A Few You’ll Hear About … Eventually
As always in Wisconsin politics, not everyone who teases interest ends up on the ballot. Expect names to swirl — insiders speak quietly to potential candidates — but early fundraising and campaign team activity may be the best indicators of who’s serious and who’s still testing the waters.
A Big “Thank You,” a Fond Farewell, and Let the Political Theater Begin
First of all, thank you Governor Evers for being a tireless advocate for the reform of cannabis laws in Wisconsin. “High”lights of his term are including decriminalization, medical marijuana, and recreational marijuana in the official Wisconsin State Budget. From supporting expungement in legislation to issuing many pardons, he also backed the federal marijuana banking bill back in 2021 and even pushed for Wisconsinites to be allowed to hold citizen driven ballot initiatives. Under his leadership, the Democrats rallied around cannabis reform, with an overwhelming amount of those elected, as well as candidates during campaigns supporting cannabis reform measures. It is safe to say that if Governor Evers did not need the Assembly and Senate to change the law, cannabis prohibition in Wisconsin would have ended under his term.
Governor Evers has been a uniquely Wisconsin figure: your go-to “holy mackerel” kind of politician — steady, folksy, and dependable. Whether you agreed with his policy choices or not, his departure feels like saying goodbye to a familiar part of the state’s political fabric.
So here’s your thank‑you, Governor: for your service, for your steadiness, and for standing up for cannabis (and vetoing bad cannabis bills when needed ) during some of Wisconsin’s most turbulent years. We appreciate your integrity, your midwestern forthrightness, and yes—your occasional mild swear words that somehow made it all feel more genuine.
Now: let the 2026 speculation begin. Who will run, who will seriously run, and who will be the perennial talker—but never take the leap? Stay tuned to my 2026 Election Coverage as it continues to grow.
