Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced on July 24 that he will not seek a third term.
“For the last six years, you’ve welcomed me into your churches, businesses, classrooms, farms, hospitals, and communities. I cherish every moment—every tour, visit, high five, question, and selfie. It’s the honor of my life to be able to give back to the state that raised me,” he said.
Evers touted being a straightforward governor.
“I promised you when I ran for this office that I’d always work to do the right thing, that I’d always give it to you straight, and that I’d always try to be a governor for all of Wisconsin,” he said.
“And I work every day to keep those promises. That’ll never change.”
Evers noted that he has been in public service for five decades and that he ran as a progressive while being “a science teacher at heart.”
He denied that he would have difficulty running another campaign as the reason for not vying for another term. But, he said, family comes first.
“So, would I win if I ran a sixth time? Of course. No question about that. But whether I’d win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again,” he said.
“Here’s the truth: Wisconsin, the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa.”
He said marrying Wisconsin’s first lady, Kathy Evers, was “the greatest accomplishment” of his life because it gave him “a lifetime with her, three amazing kids, and nine incredible grandkids.”
Evers said that he owes it to his family to spend more time with them.
“For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world,” he said.
“And I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together.
“It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term.”
Evers went on to say that being governor of the Badger State “is the best job” he’s ever had and that he is “not done yet.”
Evers was first elected in 2018, defeating former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. He won reelection in 2022, defeating Tim Michels.
With Evers not running for reelection, this will likely create a competitive race as the GOP looks to flip the governorship.
In a statement, the Republican Governors Association criticized Evers.
“For eight years, Tony Evers has let the worst elements of the Democrat Party run roughshod over state government,” said the association’s communications director, Courtney Alexander.
“While Governor Evers failed Wisconsin families by offering nothing more than folksy euphemisms to deal with problems facing the state, that pales in comparison to the Democrat hopefuls lining up to replace him who will not shy away from their intentions to take the state backward.
“Wisconsin is ready for a return to common-sense leadership and real solutions that have been lacking under the tenure of Gov. Evers, and not a single Democrat in Wisconsin can credibly offer either.”
On the GOP side, manufacturing executive Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann have declared their candidacies.
On the Democratic side, college student Zachary Roper is running.
Wisconsin has become a competitive state in recent years.
President Donald Trump won the state in 2024 by less than 1 percentage point, while incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) won reelection over GOP businessman Eric Hovde.
