MADISON, Wis – Today, Governor Tony Evers announced that he will not seek a third term as Governor of Wisconsin. In response, Representative Kalan Haywood II (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:
“Throughout his years of public service, Governor Evers has been a steady, progressive voice for Wisconsin. After defeating Scott Walker, He committed to doing what was best for our children and our state. His list of accomplishments reflects that commitment. He found ways to invest more into our public schools despite GOP obstruction. He led us through a global pandemic and kept our economy afloat. He secured a historic shared revenue deal that ensured the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County have a chance to build for a brighter future. His initiatives focused on helping and protecting our families and small businesses, and led to increases in funding to create affordable housing, and accessible transit in Milwaukee. He broke ground on the Coggs Health & Human Services Building in order to provide services that work toward a more equitable Milwaukee. He also made several investments throughout Milwaukee that preserve our history and enhance our future. His work has given us opportunities and a foundation to build on as Milwaukee rises into the next decade and beyond.
“Aside from all these accomplishments, we cannot ignore the importance of Governor Evers’ willingness to fight against harmful GOP policy and ideology. He was able to dismantle one of the most extreme gerrymanders in U.S. History, and restored a level of responsiveness to our state government. His veto stopped several bills that were harmful to families, workers, and the LGBTQ+ community. He gave marginalized communities a voice, consistently showed up for them, and defended their rights. He governs for all of Wisconsin, not just for those in the ruling class.
“It has been a pleasure working closely with Governor Evers. I always appreciate his frequent visits to the 16th Assembly District and Milwaukee. I extend a special thanks to the governor for highlighting and pushing legislative priorities that were important to my community and constituents such as increasing access to healthcare, investing in urban mentorship programs, and addressing lead lateral lines. He also helped ensure that Wisconsin could effectively deploy federal resources—from infrastructure to public health to housing—to uplift communities like mine. These investments are a reminder that when state and federal leaders work hand in hand, real progress is possible.
In addition, I would like to thank Kathy and his family for their sacrifice, and dedication to his service. His warm, thoughtful, caring demeanor set a good example of how good governance and civil politics can and should be. He brought an irreplaceable grace to the office, and I am jazzed to see what he accomplishes in the remainder of his term.”
