MADISON (AP) — Republican Josh Schoemann, the top elected official in a suburban Milwaukee county, this week created a committee to run for governor in 2026, making him the first candidate from either major party to get into the race.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet said whether he will seek a third term. Evers has repeatedly said he will announce his intentions after the state budget is passed and signed into law, which typically happens around early July. Asked for a reaction, a spokesperson for Evers referred to a comment from the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
“The Republican primary for governor is going to be a who’s who of far-right extremists tripping over themselves to earn Donald Trump’s favor – and all Josh Schoemann has going for him is that he’s first off the starting line,” said Sarah Abel, executive director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.