First two Democrats enter Wisconsin governor race

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley both entered the 2026 race to be the Democratic candidate for the state’s next governor after Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday that he would not be running for re-election.

The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association issued support for Rodriguez immediately, saying “as a nurse, a mom and lieutenant governor, Sara has spent her life putting people first—fighting for affordable health care, protecting reproductive freedom, and delivering real results for working families across Wisconsin.”

Crowley, meanwhile, told reporters he was taking steps toward entering the race and that “time is of the essence” in entering the race.

Rodriguez pointed to her time as a nurse, saying she is a public health policy expert, small business owner and problem-solver for the state’s top office in her announcement.

“We are in a precarious moment in our history and we need leaders who will stand up for Wisconsin, who understand the challenges facing families here and who believe deeply in our ability to build a stronger future for our children,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “That’s why as a Wisconsinite, a daughter of a veteran and union member, a mom and your Lieutenant Governor, I’m proud to be announcing my campaign for Governor,”

Whitefish Bay Resident Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, both Republicans, were the first two candidates to announce they are running for the seat.

“Sara Rodriguez is the very embodiment of Tony Evers and the Madison Democrats’ failed record over the last six years,” Berrien said in a Friday statement. “Wisconsin cannot afford to have a continuation of the Evers’ policies that kept us stuck in reverse. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Sara Rodriguez or another one of the radical left Democrats that decide to enter this race, one thing is for certain: I plan to win.”