Rep. Tom Tiffany announces his candidacy for governor of Wisconsin

Rep. Tom Tiffany announced his candidacy for governor of Wisconsin. The 67-year-old is the first big name within the Republican Party to enter the race. Through a video posted on social media, Tiffany cast himself as a common-sense candidate who seeks to "protect the values" of the state in the face of "Minnesota madness."

After a nine-year career in local politics, the Republican reached the House of Representatives in 2020, after winning the special election for the seat vacated by Sean Duffy, now secretary of transportation.

Current Governor Tony Evers (D) recently announced that he would not seek another term, opening the door to an open and competitive election. In 2026, some of the states holding gubernatorial elections are Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Kansas and Michigan. All are governed by Democrats, but Donald Trump won them in 2024.

"I see where we're headed and I know we can do better. You know we can do better," Tiffany said in the video, promising to freeze property taxes, protect farmland from Chinese investors and "preserve Wisconsin values." He ended his pitch by promising to once again make the state a "shining star in America."

According to initial polls on the Republican primary, Tiffany starts as the early favorite. However, other top names such as Eric Hovde, Tim Michels and Rebecca Kleefisch are still expected to decide.

On the Democratic side, the key names are former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes; Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; state Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski and current Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez.

Evers' recall will mark the first open Wisconsin gubernatorial election since 2010. At that time, Republican Scott Walker defeated then-Mayor Tom Barrett.