Former Dem state Rep. Brett Hulsey announced he will again run for the governor’s office after a failed bid more than 10 years ago.
Hulsey announced his candidacy Wednesday outside The Beacon, a Madison homeless shelter. He emphasized issues such as education and combating homelessness.
Hulsey, who lost the 2014 Dem primary for governor to Mary Burke with 16.6% of the vote, said he’s “more serious” this time around. He said he plans to hire homeless Wisconsinites to canvass for his campaign, starting at $15 an hour. Hulsey lives in Madison and represented the area in the Assembly.
“If I can’t lead and inspire, I’m gonna at least entertain,” Hulsey said to close the press conference.
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Hulsey has drawn headlines in the past for using campaign funds to buy himself a red convertible, a disorderly conduct charge for flipping a 9-year-old boy off an inner tube, and threatening to hand out Ku Klux Klan hoods to Republicans to protest GOP policy.
Meanwhile, an aide during his time in the Legislature said she was concerned for her safety after Hulsey talked about bringing a gun to the Capitol, brought a box cutter to the statehouse and urged her to train for self-defense with him.
Hulsey joins a 2026 Dem primary field featuring Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, and Mukwonago beer vendor Ryan Strnad. On the GOP side, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, businessman Bill Berrien and Washington County Exec are in the running.
