The state Dem Party is launching an initiative to help its eventual nominee as the 2026 primary field of those looking to replace Gov. Tony Evers continues to grow.
Dubbed the “Wisconsin Governor Readiness Project,” it will be a vehicle to raise money, invest in messaging and build out field operations before voters select the party’s nominee in the Aug. 11 primary, 12 weeks ahead of the general election.
“The campaign infrastructure that we will build over the next year will be vital to electing our next Democratic governor,” Evers said Monday. “The WisDems was a critical partner in my re-election campaign, and just like four years ago, I’m going to be fighting like hell alongside Chair (Devin) Remiker to ensure that Wisconsin has a governor who will always stand up for the people of our state.”
The party announced senior adviser Cassi Fenili – Evers’ campaign manager in 2022 and deputy campaign manager in 2018 – will lead the project.
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The party called the effort unprecedented, though the Democratic Governors Association ran a similar operation in 2018, when the Dem field grew to 10 candidates before contracting just ahead of the primary. A Stronger Wisconsin began running TV ads targeting then-GOP Gov. Scott Walker the day after the Dem primary that Evers won, giving the party’s nominee time to build up his campaign coffers after the win. The group ended up spending more than $12 million, according to ProPublica.
So far, seven Dems have registered with the state to run for guv, including four elected officials: Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley, state Rep. Francesca Hong, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and state Sen. Kelda Roys.
Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and AG Josh Kaul are among those considering a run.
Businessman Bill Berrien and Washington County Exec Josh Schoemann have announced plans to run for the GOP nomination, while U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, has been moving toward a run.
The state GOP endorses in statewide races at its May convention in even-numbered years, and a party spokesperson noted the WisGOP “has always and will continue to provide resources to our endorsed candidates” after the state convention.
State Chair Brian Schimming noted results in June that found 55% of voters surveyed didn’t want to see Evers seek a third term.
“Wisconsinites are fed up with the same old far-left policies being pushed and are ready for a common-sense Republican Governor,” he said.
