Nine candidates meet requirements to be placed on ballot for governor

The Wisconsin Elections Commission last week released the list of gubernatorial candidates who had met the 2,000-signature threshold to be placed on the ballot.

Rounding out the competition will be seven Democrats and two Republicans vying for the governor’s seat. Current Gov. Tony Evers announced he would not seek a third term in the November 2026 election.

Two Republican names will appear, including 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany and medical services technician Andy Manske.

On the Democratic side, candidates include Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys, state Rep. Francesca Hong, former state economic development Director Missy Hughes, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, and former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan.

Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad did not gather the minimum 2,000 signatures required to be included, only reaching 1,504 valid signatures.

The primary to narrow down candidates will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11.