Who Is Running for Wisconsin Governor
Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany are the major-party nominees for an open Wisconsin governor’s seat on November 3, 2026. Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, is not running for a third term. Each nominee runs with a lieutenant governor on one ticket, so a single vote picks both (Ballotpedia; Wisconsin Constitution, Art. V, Sec. 3).
Key facts
- The general election is November 3, 2026, and Wisconsin voters can register at the polls on Election Day.
- David Crowley won a nine-candidate Democratic primary by 3,673 votes out of 792,290.
- Tom Tiffany won the Republican primary with 95.3% of the vote.
- Republicans hold both chambers of the Legislature, but not the two-thirds needed to override a veto.
David Crowley is the Milwaukee County executive since 2020 and a former member of the state Assembly. Tom Tiffany is the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th District since 2020 and a former state senator (Ballotpedia). Evers endorsed David Crowley on July 18, 2026.
Major-party tickets for Wisconsin governor and lieutenant governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Wisconsin gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026, as of 2026-10-14
Wisconsin picks its lieutenant governor nominees in separate primaries, then pairs each one with the governor nominee of the same party in November. The lieutenant governor is first in line to succeed the governor, and the secretary of state is next if that office is empty (Art. V, Sec. 7; Art. V, Sec. 8).
Wisconsin Governor Primary Results
David Crowley edged Francesca Hong in the August 11, 2026 Democratic primary, 39.8% to 39.3%. Three other candidates, including Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, had stepped away from the race but stayed on the ballot (Ballotpedia).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| David Crowley | 39.8% |
| Francesca Hong | 39.3% |
| Kelda Roys | 7.5% |
| Joel Brennan | 4.7% |
| Withdrew before the vote | 8.6% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. Three candidates who unofficially withdrew are grouped; write-ins are not shown.
On the Republican side, Tom Tiffany beat Andrew Manske, 95.3% to 4.6%. Wisconsin’s primaries are open: any registered voter can choose one party’s ballot in the voting booth (NCSL). Our primary elections guide explains how each state runs them.
The 2022 Wisconsin Governor Result
In 2022, Evers beat Republican Tim Michels by 90,239 votes out of about 2.66 million cast.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Tony Evers (D) | 51.1% |
| Tim Michels (R) | 47.8% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. Other candidates and write-ins took the rest.
That result is the most recent statewide test for the office. It does not predict 2026, and this page carries no polls or race ratings (Ballotpedia).
The Wisconsin Legislature and the Veto
Republicans hold the state Senate 18 to 15 and the Assembly 54 to 45, according to Ballotpedia. A bill needs both chambers and the governor, so the next governor and the Legislature have to agree for anything to become law.
Overriding a veto takes two-thirds of the members present in each house: 22 senators and 66 representatives when every member is there (Art. V, Sec. 10). Republicans are short of that in both chambers. All 99 Assembly seats and 17 of the 33 Senate seats are on the November 3 ballot.
What the Wisconsin Governor Can Do
Wisconsin’s governor runs the state agencies, signs or vetoes every bill, and can veto parts of a spending bill. That partial veto is limited: the governor may not create a new word by striking letters, or a new sentence by joining parts of two (Art. V, Sec. 10(1)(c)).
Powers of the Wisconsin governor
Source: Wisconsin Constitution, Article V
How to Vote for Governor
Register online or by mail by October 14, 2026, with your municipal clerk by October 30, 2026, or at your polling place on Election Day. Any registered voter can vote absentee, by mail or in person. Check your registration and polling place on MyVote Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's 2026 governor election, step by step
- October 14, 2026 Last day to register online or by mail After this, register with your clerk or at the polls.
- October 20 to November 1, 2026 In-person absentee voting Hours are set by each municipality.
- October 29, 2026 Last day to request a mailed ballot The clerk must receive the request by 5 p.m.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Absentee ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026.
- January 4, 2027 Term begins The new governor takes office in January.
The absentee deadlines come from state law (Wis. Stat. 6.86; Wis. Stat. 6.87). A ballot that arrives after 8 p.m. on Election Day is not counted, even if it was mailed earlier. Voters show proof of identification, such as a Wisconsin driver’s license or ID card, a military ID or a U.S. passport (Wis. Stat. 5.02(6m)).
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races on the ballot this year.
Wisconsin Governor Questions
Who is running for Wisconsin governor in 2026?
Democrat David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, and Republican Tom Tiffany, a member of Congress, are the major-party nominees for the open seat. David Crowley won the August 11 primary with 39.8% and Tom Tiffany with 95.3%. Their running mates are Sarah Godlewski and David Varnam.
Is Tony Evers running for governor again?
No. Governor Tony Evers is not running for a third term, so the seat is open. He endorsed David Crowley on July 18, 2026.
Do Wisconsin voters pick the governor and lieutenant governor separately?
Only in the primary. Each party nominates its governor and lieutenant governor in separate primaries, and in November the two run together, so one vote picks both.
How close was the 2022 Wisconsin governor race?
Tony Evers beat Republican Tim Michels 51.1% to 47.8% in 2022, according to certified results.
When is the deadline to register to vote in Wisconsin for November 2026?
Register online or by mail by October 14, 2026, or with your municipal clerk by October 30, 2026. You can also register at your polling place on Election Day. Absentee ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration on MyVote Wisconsin. If you miss October 14, 2026, you can still register with your clerk or at the polls.
- Ask for an absentee ballot by October 29, 2026 if you want to vote by mail, then return it early. It must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Look up your state senator and representative with the Legislature’s district finder.
- Compare the issues on the line in Wisconsin: the minimum wage, abortion laws and marijuana laws.