Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Defeats Republican Challenger Tim Michels for Second Term

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks to supporters during an election night event at The Orpheum Theater in Madison, Wisconsin, on Nov. 8, 2022. (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Wisconsin Democrat Gov. Tony Evers has secured a second term in office, defeating former President Donald Trump-endorsed businessman Tim Michels.

Early Wednesday morning, Michels told supporters at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee that he had conceded to the current governor.

“Unfortunately, the math doesn’t add up,” Michels said. “I just called Governor Evers and conceded. I wish the Evers family well.”

“In hindsight, looking back, I don’t know what we would’ve done differently. It was a very spirited effort,” he added. “But it wasn’t our night tonight, and I thank everybody for all of your support.”

“I hope that some of the problems that were identified will be taken very seriously by the Evers administration,” Michels continued. “We need to back law enforcement.”

Before the election, Michels had said that he would end soft-on-crime policies and had accused Evers of “coddling criminals and abandoning law enforcement.” Meanwhile, Evers said he had a “strong record” of investing in public safety.

As of press time, Evers captured over 1.33 million votes, or 51.2 percent, compared to Michels’s about 1.24 million votes, or 47.8 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called the race in favor of Evers at 1:42 a.m. ET on Nov. 9.

Less than an hour after Michels delivered his concession speech, Evers gave his victory speech to supporters at Madison’s Orpheum Theater, telling them that his opponent had conceded to him.

“I want to thank him and his family for a hard-fought campaign,” Evers said. “So thank you, Tim Michels.”

“I stood here on this very same stage four years ago to the day, and I made a promise to the people in Wisconsin that I would never make promises I couldn’t keep and that I always work for you,” Evers said.

“Over the past four years, I’ve worked hard to keep those promises and tried to do the right thing,” the governor added. “That’s who I am, folks, and that’s what I’ve always been. Some people call it boring, but you know what, Wisconsin? As it turns out, boring wins.”

In 2018, Evers narrowly defeated then-incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker by 1.1 percentage points.

“We’ve proved that there is so much we can do when we work together, when we do the right thing, and when we’re willing to fight for the future that we want for our kids and our state. And we’re just getting started, folks,” Evers added. “We’re going to polka tonight and get back to work tomorrow.”

Michels won the GOP nomination in August, defeating former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who was endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence.