Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday that he won't seek a third term, setting off a scramble to replace the two-term Democrat in the battleground state’s first open race for governor in 16 years.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman, who on Sunday announced his bid to head the Democratic National Committee, is pitching himself as a battle-tested state party leader with a record of scoring wins in difficult territory as he aims to become the new face of his national party after the Democrats’ election loss last month.

Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection and will retire from public office. His announcement ended months of speculation about whether he would seek a third term during the 2026 midterm elections. The move from Evers, 73, leaves the Democratic field wide open as to who could run for the party nomination.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Devin Remiker said he wants current Gov. Tony Evers to run for reelection in 2026.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced Thursday he won’t seek another term in office, teeing up a competitive election in one of the country’s closest battlegrounds. Evers said in

Gov. Tony Evers will not seek reelection after his second term concludes next year, setting the stage for the first open race for Wisconsin’s executive office in 16 years and a potentially packed Democratic primary next August.

Ron Johnson wants Republican hopefuls for governor to duke it out over the next five months but to coalesce around one candidate by the start of 2026.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Democrat Gov. Tony Evers will not be running for re-election in 2026. That leaves Whitefish Bay Resident Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, both Republicans, as the two candidates who have announced they are running for the seat.