2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic governor Tony Evers will seek a second term in office. As Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes is running for the U.S. Senate in 2022, a new running mate will be nominated in the partisan primary. Barnes is the first lieutenant governor to not run with the incumbent governor since the state constitution was amended in 1967.

Democratic primary[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Tony Evers, incumbent Governor (2019–present)^[1]
Edmond Hou-Seye, former alderman of Sheboygan (2015–2017)^[2]

Democratic candidates^[a]

Incumbent
Tony Evers
from
Plymouth

Endorsements[]

Tony Evers

Organizations

314 Action^[3]

Lieutenant Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

David Bowen, state assemblyman from the 10th district (2015–present)^[4]
Peng Her, CEO of Hmong Institute^[5]
Sara Rodriguez, state assemblywoman from the 13th district (2021–present)^[6]

Withdrawn[]

Lena Taylor, state senator from the 4th district (2005–present) and former state assemblywoman from the 18th district (2003–2005)^[7]^[8]

Declined[]

Mandela Barnes, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–present) (running for U.S. Senate)^[9]

Republican primary[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Adam J. Fischer, former police officer and businessman^[10]
James Kellen^[11]
Rebecca Kleefisch, former Lieutenant Governor (2011–2019)^[12]^[13]
Jonathan Wichmann, businessman^[14]

Republican candidates^[a]

Former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor
Rebecca Kleefisch
from
Concord

Filed paperwork[]

Leonard Larson Jr.^[11]

Publicly expressed interest[]

Sean Duffy, former U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 7th congressional district (2011–2019)^[15]
Chris Kapenga, President of the Wisconsin Senate (2021–present)^[16]
Kevin Nicholson, businessman and former member of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs; candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018^[17]

Potential[]

Mike Gallagher, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district (2017–present)^[17]

Declined[]

Paul Farrow, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin (2021–present), Waukesha County Executive (2015–present), and former state senator from the 33rd district (2013–2015)^[15]^[17]
Ron Johnson, U.S. Senator (2011–present)^[18]
John Macco, state assemblyman from the 88th district (2015–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Kleefisch)^[19]
Bill McCoshen, lobbyist^[11]^[20]
Reince Priebus, former White House Chief of Staff (2017), former chair of the Republican National Committee (2011–2017), and former chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin (2007–2011)^[13]
Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2013–present) from the 63rd district (2005–present)^[21]
Scott Walker, former Governor (2011–2019) (endorsed Kleefisch)^[22]

Endorsements[]

Sean Duffy

Executive officials

Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)^[23]

Rebecca Kleefisch

State officials

Scott Walker, former Governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019)^[24]

State legislators

Julian Bradley, state senator from the 28th district (2021–present)^[12]
John Macco, state assemblyman from the 88th district (2015–present)^[19]

Jonathan Wichmann

Federal officials

Michael Flynn, former United States National Security Advisor (2017), former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (2012–2014) (Democratic)^[25]

Lieutenant Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

David D. King, businessman and perennial candidate^[26]
Will Martin, former Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development official^[27]
Patrick Testin, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present)^[28]
David Varnam, mayor of Lancaster (2016��present)^[26]
Ben Voelkel, former aide to U.S. Senator Ron Johnson^[29]
Cindy Werner, businesswoman and candidate for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district in 2018 and 2020^[26]
Kyle Yudes, activist^[30]

Endorsements[]

Patrick Testin

Organizations

Wisconsin Right to Life (co-endorsed with Varnum)^[31]

David Varnum

Organizations

Wisconsin Right to Life (co-endorsed with Testin)^[31]

Independents[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Joan Ellis Beglinger, retired nurse and hospital administrator^[32]
Jess Hisel, engineer and Air Force veteran^[33]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[34]	Tossup	December 3, 2021
Inside Elections^[35]	Battleground	September 29, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[36]	Tossup	September 15, 2021

Polling[]

Hypothetical polling

Tony Evers vs. Rebecca Kleefisch

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Rebecca Kleefisch (R)	Other	Undecided
Redfield & Wilton Strategies	August 20–24, 2021	730 (RV)	± 3.6%	39%	38%	3%	14%
Redfield & Wilton Strategies	August 20–24, 2021	718 (LV)	± 3.7%	41%	41%	3%	12%
Change Research (D)^[A]	March 25–27, 2021	1,723 (LV)	± 2.6%	48%	43%	–	–

Tony Evers vs. Jonathan Wichmann

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Jonathan Wichmann (R)	Other	Undecided
Redfield & Wilton Strategies	August 20–24, 2021	730 (RV)	± 3.6%	41%	34%	5%	14%
Redfield & Wilton Strategies	August 20–24, 2021	718 (LV)	± 3.7%	43%	36%	4%	12%

Tony Evers vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Cygnal (R)	July 6–8, 2021	640 (LV)	± 3.9%	47%	48%	6%
Public Policy Polling (D)^[B]	February 8–9, 2021	937 (V)	± 3.2%	45%	44%	11%

Notes[]

^ ^a ^b The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.
^ ^a ^b ^c Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

Partisan clients

^ This poll was sponsored by Tom Nelson's campaign
^ Poll conducted for 314 Action

References[]

^ Dominick Mastrangelo (June 6, 2021). "Wisconsin governor announces reelection bid". The Hill.
^ Zimmermann, Kevin (June 14, 2021). "FORMER SHEBOYGAN ALDERMAN ANNOUNCES GUBERNATORIAL BID". WHBL. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
^ "314 Action Fund Endorses Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers for Re-Election". 314 Action. June 25, 2021.
^ "David Bowen announces bid for lieutenant governor". Madison 365. November 16, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ "Peng Her, CEO of Hmong Institute in Madison, running for Wisconsin lieutenant governor". Wisconsin State Journal. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ Beck, Molly (November 11, 2021). "Rep. Sara Rodriguez announces bid for lieutenant governor, creating Democratic primary". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ Beck, Molly (October 4, 2021). "Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee announces bid for lieutenant governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ "Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor suspends Lt. Governor campaign". TMJ4. December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ Merica, Dan (July 20, 2021). "Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes to join crowded Senate Democratic primary". CNN. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
^ Bodilly, Sue (October 19, 2021). "UW-Green Bay to Help Communities Prepare for 2022 Gubernatorial Election". University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Schmidt, Mitchell (September 16, 2021). "Lobbyist Bill McCoshen decides not to run for Wisconsin governor". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Marley, Patrick; Glauber, Bill; Beck, Molly (September 9, 2021). "Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch announces run for governor with criticism of COVID-19 shutdowns". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Gomez, Henry J. (September 9, 2021). "Former GOP lieutenant governor launches bid to oust Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers". NBC News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
^ White, Laurel (July 16, 2021). "Evers, Johnson Outpace Challengers In 2022 Campaign Fundraising". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Marley, Patrick (August 5, 2019). "With Scott Walker out of the way, a long list of Republicans consider statewide runs in 2022". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
^ Beck, Molly (November 29, 2019). "As Republicans privately look ahead to 2020, Chris Kapenga acknowledges considering run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Paul Farrow elected Wisconsin Republican Party chairman". nbc26.com. August 23, 2021.
^ "Ron Johnson rules out run for Wisconsin governor in 2022". Wisconsin State Journal. March 16, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Marley, Patrick (November 30, 2021). "Rep. John Macco says he won't run for Wisconsin governor and will back former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
^ "Bill McCoshen sells lobbying firm but not in a move to run for governor, sources say". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
^ "How Wisconsin is ruled by a shadow governor". politico.com. September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
^ Meyerhofer, Kelly (July 18, 2019). "Scott Walker takes new job, says he won't run for office in 2022". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
^ Schmidt, Mitchell (October 16, 2021). "Trump calls on former Congressman Sean Duffy to run for Wisconsin governor". Madison.com.
^ Hess, Corrinne (December 3, 2019). "Scott Walker: Rebecca Kleefisch Would Make 'A Hell Of A Great Governor'". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
^ "Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Jonathan Wichmann Endorsed by General Michael Flynn". PRWeb. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Republican Martin Joins Crowded Lieutenant Governor Race". U.S. News. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ "Republican Will Martin joins crowded race for Wisconsin lieutenant governor". Wisconsin State Journal. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ Hovorka, Alan (September 24, 2021). "State Sen. Patrick Testin will launch bid for Wisconsin lieutenant governor". Stevens Point Journal. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ Zufall, Frank (December 2, 2021). "Ben Voelkel, former Sen. Johnson aide, running for Lt. Gov". Kilgore News Herald. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ "Eau Claire Man Runs for GOP Lieutenant Governor Nomination". VolumeOne. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Wisconsin Right to Life: Announces second round of 2022 endorsements". WisPolitics.com.
^ Vian, Jourdan (April 26, 2021). "Middleton woman announces candidacy for Wisconsin governor". WKBT-DT. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
^ "3rd party candidate announces run for Governor". WCLO. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

External links[]

Official campaign websites

Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites

[disclaimer-3] The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.

[Key-38] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[Nelson-39] This poll was sponsored by Tom Nelson's campaign

[314A-40] Poll conducted for 314 Action

[1] Dominick Mastrangelo (June 6, 2021). "Wisconsin governor announces reelection bid". The Hill.

[2] Zimmermann, Kevin (June 14, 2021). "FORMER SHEBOYGAN ALDERMAN ANNOUNCES GUBERNATORIAL BID". WHBL. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.

[4] "314 Action Fund Endorses Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers for Re-Election". 314 Action. June 25, 2021.

[5] "David Bowen announces bid for lieutenant governor". Madison 365. November 16, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[6] "Peng Her, CEO of Hmong Institute in Madison, running for Wisconsin lieutenant governor". Wisconsin State Journal. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[7] Beck, Molly (November 11, 2021). "Rep. Sara Rodriguez announces bid for lieutenant governor, creating Democratic primary". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[8] Beck, Molly (October 4, 2021). "Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee announces bid for lieutenant governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[9] "Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor suspends Lt. Governor campaign". TMJ4. December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[10] Merica, Dan (July 20, 2021). "Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes to join crowded Senate Democratic primary". CNN. Retrieved July 20, 2021.

[11] Bodilly, Sue (October 19, 2021). "UW-Green Bay to Help Communities Prepare for 2022 Gubernatorial Election". University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.

[decides-12] Schmidt, Mitchell (September 16, 2021). "Lobbyist Bill McCoshen decides not to run for Wisconsin governor". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

[kleefischin-13] Marley, Patrick; Glauber, Bill; Beck, Molly (September 9, 2021). "Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch announces run for governor with criticism of COVID-19 shutdowns". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.

[bid-14] Gomez, Henry J. (September 9, 2021). "Former GOP lieutenant governor launches bid to oust Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers". NBC News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.

[15] White, Laurel (July 16, 2021). "Evers, Johnson Outpace Challengers In 2022 Campaign Fundraising". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.

[wisrp-16] Marley, Patrick (August 5, 2019). "With Scott Walker out of the way, a long list of Republicans consider statewide runs in 2022". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 26, 2019.

[17] Beck, Molly (November 29, 2019). "As Republicans privately look ahead to 2020, Chris Kapenga acknowledges considering run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

[Madison.com-18] "Paul Farrow elected Wisconsin Republican Party chairman". nbc26.com. August 23, 2021.

[19] "Ron Johnson rules out run for Wisconsin governor in 2022". Wisconsin State Journal. March 16, 2021.

[Maccodeclined-20] Marley, Patrick (November 30, 2021). "Rep. John Macco says he won't run for Wisconsin governor and will back former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.

[raising-21] "Bill McCoshen sells lobbying firm but not in a move to run for governor, sources say". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[22] "How Wisconsin is ruled by a shadow governor". politico.com. September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[23] Meyerhofer, Kelly (July 18, 2019). "Scott Walker takes new job, says he won't run for office in 2022". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2021.

[24] Schmidt, Mitchell (October 16, 2021). "Trump calls on former Congressman Sean Duffy to run for Wisconsin governor". Madison.com.

[25] Hess, Corrinne (December 3, 2019). "Scott Walker: Rebecca Kleefisch Would Make 'A Hell Of A Great Governor'". Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.

[26] "Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Jonathan Wichmann Endorsed by General Michael Flynn". PRWeb. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[KingVarnamWerner-27] "Republican Martin Joins Crowded Lieutenant Governor Race". U.S. News. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[28] "Republican Will Martin joins crowded race for Wisconsin lieutenant governor". Wisconsin State Journal. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[29] Hovorka, Alan (September 24, 2021). "State Sen. Patrick Testin will launch bid for Wisconsin lieutenant governor". Stevens Point Journal. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[30] Zufall, Frank (December 2, 2021). "Ben Voelkel, former Sen. Johnson aide, running for Lt. Gov". Kilgore News Herald. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[31] "Eau Claire Man Runs for GOP Lieutenant Governor Nomination". VolumeOne. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.

[RTLendorse-32] "Wisconsin Right to Life: Announces second round of 2022 endorsements". WisPolitics.com.

[33] Vian, Jourdan (April 26, 2021). "Middleton woman announces candidacy for Wisconsin governor". WKBT-DT. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.

[34] "3rd party candidate announces run for Governor". WCLO. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.

[Cook_PR-35] "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-36] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-37] "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

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2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

Contents

Democratic primary[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Endorsements[]

Lieutenant Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Withdrawn[]

Declined[]

Republican primary[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Filed paperwork[]

Publicly expressed interest[]

Potential[]

Declined[]

Endorsements[]

Lieutenant Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Endorsements[]

Independents[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Polling[]

See also[]

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]