Wisconsin’s Governorship is an Open Contest

Reince Priebus would have liked to see Wisconsin Republicans run against Gov. Tony Evers for a third time, but he says he’ll take a fresh name in 2026.

Priebus was a guest on Jay Weber’s show on News Talk 1130 WISN Tuesday. He said Republicans would have had a good shot against Evers next year because the governor is “on the wrong side of normal.”

“The one thing [Gov] Evers gives you is this sort of cultural leftism that doesn’t work for the Democrat Party,” Priebus explained. “I mean, if there’s one thing that they can’t get straight it’s this idea of being in love with all of these crazy concepts about transgenderism, no cash bail… This part of the woke Left that just doesn’t work with normal people.”

Priebus said he’s been keeping an eye on the race “as a Wisconsin guy.”

So far just two Democrats, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, have officially jumped into the race to replace Gov. Evers.

There are two Republicans as well, Washington County exec Josh Schoeman and businessman Bill Berrien, but there is speculation that Congressman Tom Tiffany may jump in as well.

Priebus said 2026 may be a better year for Republicans than first thought.

“It is very rare to have an open seat, and I also think the environment might be much better in the midterm than people traditionally think,” Priebus said. “Can you win in a midterm in a year when historically, it’s not supposed to be great for the Republican party?”

Evers’ exit has moved Wisconsin to a more competitive state.

Larry Sabato’s Center For Politics this week moved Wisconsin to a “toss up” state.

“We started the race off as “Leans Democratic.” But, in large part because of the uncertainty that can come with open-seat contests, we are moving Wisconsin to Toss-up,” Sabato wrote.