Activists attending the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s state convention said they would support Gov. Tony Evers for a third term if he decided to run.
WisPolitics spoke to about a dozen convention attendees, all of whom said they’d enthusiastically support the current governor in 2026 for a third term. Evers has said he will wait until after the state budget to announce whether he will run again. Evers didn’t give any hints in last night’s speech on which way he’s leaning.
To those who might say Evers, 73, is too old for another term, activists said that should be up to the governor’s discretion, and some said that’s a “lame” excuse.
“I don’t like age discrimination,” Colleen Robson from Columbia County told WisPolitics at the convention. “I think it depends on how they’re doing.”
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Robson added she trusts Evers would step aside if he is concerned about his health.
Ana Wilson from Milwaukee County said age doesn’t matter if the policies of Wisconsin’s leader are good.
“I don’t see age as an issue,” Wilson said. “He’s doing pretty damn good.”
Many of the activists WisPolitics spoke with said they supported Evers’ policies, especially on education.
Joy Bashura, who’s a former teacher from Brown County, said she would support him because of his investments in education.
John Shubert from Racine County agreed.
“He’s been a good governor,” Shubert said. “He’s good at education and a lot of issues.”
And several of the convention’s attendees said they support Evers because of his character, adding he’s a good representative of the state.
“He’s Wisconsin,” Robson said.
Pat Hinickle from Columbia County said she thinks “his beliefs are for Wisconsin.”
Only a few of the activists suggested alternative candidates if Evers decided not to run.
Mark Johnson from Marquette County said outgoing state party Chair Ben Wikler is a great communicator and suggested “maybe Wikler should run.”
Bailey Conradt from Brown County said if Evers doesn’t run, he hopes it is someone who already has name recognition. He suggested Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez or Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski. Godlewski was named 1st Vice Chair of the state Dem Party at the convention. She was unopposed in seeking the post.
