The 2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the

governor of Wisconsin The governor of Wisconsin is the head of government of Wisconsin and the commander-in-chief of the state's Wisconsin Army National Guard, army and Wisconsin Air National Guard, air forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the ...

. Incumbent Democratic Governor

Tony Evers Anthony Steven Evers ( ; born November 5, 1951) is an American politician and educator serving since 2019 as the 46th governor of Wisconsin. A member of the Democratic Party, he served from 2009 to 2019 as Wisconsin's 26th superintendent of p ...

won re-election to a second term by a margin of 3.4%, defeating Republican nominee Tim Michels. As

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

Mandela Barnes J. Mandela Barnes (born December 1, 1986) is an American politician who served as the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he was the Wisconsin State Assemb ...

ran for the U.S. Senate in the concurrent election, a new Democratic running mate, state assemblywoman

Sara Rodriguez Sara Rodriguez (born July 25, 1975) is an American politician and former health care professional who has served since 2023 as the 46th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, having been elected on a ticket with Governor Tony Evers. A member of the D ...

, was nominated in the partisan primary. Barnes was the second lieutenant governor not to run with the incumbent governor since the state constitution was amended in 1967. The partisan primary was held on August 9, 2022, with businessman Tim Michels defeating former lieutenant governor

Rebecca Kleefisch Rebecca Ann Kleefisch (née Reed; born August 7, 1975) is an American politician and former television reporter who served as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republica ...

in the Republican primary.

State senator A state senator is a member of a State legislature (United States), state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. History There are typically fewer state senators than there ...

Roger Roth received the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. This election result was the first since

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

in which a Democrat in Wisconsin won with an outright majority of the vote, the first since

1990 Important events of 1990 include the Reunification of Germany and the unification of Yemen, the formal beginning of the Human Genome Project (finished in 2003), the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation of Namibia from South ...

in which the winner was from the same party as the

incumbent The incumbent is the current holder of an office or position. In an election, the incumbent is the person holding or acting in the position that is up for election, regardless of whether they are seeking re-election. There may or may not be ...

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

, and the first since

1962 The year saw the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is often considered the closest the world came to a Nuclear warfare, nuclear confrontation during the Cold War. Events January * January 1 – Samoa, Western Samoa becomes independent from Ne ...

in which Wisconsin voted for a Democratic governor at the same time the party held the presidency. This was also the first gubernatorial election in the state since

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...

in which the winning candidate was of a different party than the winner of the concurrent U.S. Senate election. Evers's victory was labeled a slight upset, as he was initially elected back in

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

by a meager 1.1%, despite 2018 being considered a much more favorable year for Democrats than 2022. In addition, many polls showed Michels in the lead in the weeks leading up to the election. According to

Ron Brownstein Ronald J. Brownstein (born April 6, 1958) is an American journalist, political correspondent, and analyst. Early life and education Brownstein was born to a Jewish family on April 6, 1958, in New York City, the son of Shirley and David Brownstei ...

CNN Cable News Network (CNN) is a multinational news organization operating, most notably, a website and a TV channel headquartered in Atlanta. Founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable ne ...

in 2023, Evers won independent voters by 6–7 percentage points, which contributed to Michels's defeat. Evers did substantially better than Mandela Barnes did against incumbent senator

Ron Johnson Ronald Harold Johnson (born April 8, 1955) is an American businessman and politician serving as the Seniority in the United States Senate, senior United States Senate, United States senator from Wisconsin, a seat he has held since 2011. A Rep ...

in suburban areas of the state in this election as well as compared to his initial election in 2018, chiefly in the "WOW" counties of Waukesha, Ozaukee, and

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

that form a ring around the north and west of

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, performing in line with Biden's 2020 margins. On the flip side, Michels did better in most rural areas than former governor Scott Walker had in 2018, winning the counties of Crawford, Grant, and Richland, three counties that Evers had previously won four years earlier. Michels also flipped the county of

Kenosha Kenosha () is a city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. It is the fourth-most populous city in Wisconsin, with a population of 99,986 at the 2020 census. Situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Ke ...

. One exception to the trend toward Republicans in rural areas was

Door County Door County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, its population was 30,066. Its seat of government is Sturgeon Bay. It is named after the strait between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island. T ...

, which flipped to Evers after having voted for Walker in 2018. Notably, Evers carried the 3rd congressional district, which Republican

Derrick Van Orden Derrick Francis Van Orden (born September 15, 1969) is an American politician, actor, and retired United States Navy SEAL who is the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Early ...

concurrently won after losing in

2020 The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...

to then-Representative

Ron Kind Ronald James Kind (born March 16, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 1997 to 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His former district is in western Wisconsin, anchored by La Cross ...

; Evers also came within 0.2% of carrying the 1st congressional district.

Democratic primary

Governor

Nominee

, incumbent governor (2019–present)

Disqualified

* Job Edmond Hou-Seye, former

alderman An alderman is a member of a Municipal government, municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law with similar officials existing in the Netherlands (wethouder) and Belgium (schepen). The term may be titular, denotin ...

of Sheboygan (2015–2017)

Endorsements

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

=Nominee

= *

, state assemblywoman from the 13th district (2021–2023)

= Eliminated in primary

= * Peng Her,

CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization. CEOs find roles in variou ...

of Hmong Institute

=Withdrawn

= * David Bowen, state assemblyman from the 10th district (2015–2023) *

Lena Taylor Lena C. Taylor (born July 25, 1966) is an American lawyer, judge, and former politician serving as a Wisconsin circuit courts, Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County, since January 2024. She previously served 19 years as a Democratic Pa ...

state senator A state senator is a member of a State legislature (United States), state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. History There are typically fewer state senators than there ...

from the

4th district Fourth or the fourth may refer to: * the ordinal form of the number 4 * ''Fourth'' (album), by Soft Machine, 1971 * Fourth (angle), an ancient astronomical subdivision * Fourth (music), a musical interval * ''The Fourth'', a 1972 Soviet drama ...

(2005–2024) and former state assemblywoman from the 18th district (2003–2005) ''( ran for mayor of Milwaukee)''

=Declined

= *

, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–2023) ''( ran for U.S. Senate)''

Endorsements

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Governor

Nominee

* Tim Michels, co-owner of the

Michels Corporation Michels Corporation is a Family business, family-owned and operated energy and infrastructure construction company headquartered in Brownsville, Wisconsin, Brownsville, WI. Established in 1959, Michels Corporation ranks #27th out of 400 top contra ...

and nominee for the U.S. Senate in

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

=Eliminated in primary

= * Adam J. Fischer, former police officer and businessman *

, former

lieutenant governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

(2011–2019) * Timothy Ramthun, state representative for the 59th district

=Disqualified

= *James Kellen * Leonard Larson Jr.

=Withdrawn

= *Kevin Nicholson, businessman, former member of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs and candidate for the U.S. Senate in

''(remained on ballot)'' *Jonathan Wichmann, businessman ''(ran for lieutenant governor)''

=Declined

= *

Sean Duffy Sean Patrick Duffy (born October 3, 1971) is an American politician, lawyer, former prosecutor, and former television personality who has served as the 20th United States Secretary of Transportation, United States secretary of transportation sinc ...

, former

U.S. representative The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of th ...

for (2011–2019) *

Paul Farrow Paul Farrow (born July 17, 1964) is an American businessman and Republican Party (United States), Republican politician from Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He is the county executive of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, since 2015. He previously served two yea ...

, chair of the

Republican Party of Wisconsin The Republican Party of Wisconsin is a conservative politics, conservative and Right-wing populism, populist political party in Wisconsin and is the Wisconsin affiliate of the Republican Party (United States), United States Republican Party (GOP) ...

(2021–2022),

Waukesha County Waukesha County () is a county (United States), county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 406,978, making it the third-most populous county in Wisconsin. Its median income of $88,985 placed ...

Executive Executive ( exe., exec., execu.) may refer to: Role or title * Executive, a senior management role in an organization ** Chief executive officer (CEO), one of the highest-ranking corporate officers (executives) or administrators ** Executive dir ...

(2015–present) and former state senator from the 33rd district (2013–2015) * Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for (2017–2024) ''( ran for re-election)'' * Eric Hovde, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

U.S. senator The United States Senate is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the upper house, with the U.S. House of Representatives being the lower house. Together, the Senate and House have the authority under Article One of the ...

(2011–present) ''(ran for re-election)'' *

Chris Kapenga Christopher Lee KapengaJesse Garza ''Wisconsin Journal Sentinel'' (August 27, 2010). (born February 19, 1972) is an American businessman and Republican politician from Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He was the president of the Wisconsin Senat ...

, President of the

Wisconsin Senate The Wisconsin Senate is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Together with the Wisconsin State Assembly they constitute the legislative branch of the state of Wisconsin. The powers of the Wisconsin Senate are modeled after those ...

(2021–2025) and state senator from the 33rd district (2015–present) ''(ran for re-election)'' *

John Macco John Joseph Macco (born September 23, 1958) is an American businessman and Republican politician from Brown County, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 88th Assembly district from January 2015 ...

, state representative for the 88th district (2015–present) ''(ran for re-election; endorsed Kleefisch)'' * Bill McCoshen, lobbyist *

Reince Priebus Reinhold Richard "Reince" Priebus ( ; born March 18, 1972) is an American politician, attorney, and naval officer who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2011 to 2017 and as White House chief of staff during the first s ...

, former

White House Chief of Staff The White House chief of staff is the head of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, a position in the federal government of the United States. The chief of staff is a Political appointments in the United States, politi ...

(2017), former chair of the

Republican National Committee The Republican National Committee (RNC) is the primary committee of the Republican Party of the United States. Its members are chosen by the state delegations at the national convention every four years. It is responsible for developing and pr ...

(2011–2017) and former chair of the

(2007–2011) *

Tommy Thompson Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941) is an American politician who served as the 19th United States secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2005 in the Presidency of George W. Bush, cabinet of President of the United State ...

, former governor (1987–2001), former

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services The United States secretary of health and human services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all health matters. The secretary is ...

(2001–2005) and nominee for the U.S. Senate in

''(endorsed Michels)'' *

Robin Vos Robin Joseph Vos (born July 5, 1968) is an American businessman and Republican politician and the 79th speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving in that role since 2013. He has been a member of the Assembly since 2005, representing mos ...

Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly The Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly is the Speaker (politics), presiding officer of the Wisconsin Wisconsin State Assembly, State Assembly, the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Article IV of the Constitution of Wisconsin, ratifi ...

(2013–present) and state representative for the 63rd district (2005–present) ''(ran for re-election)'' * Scott Walker, former governor (2011–2019) ''(endorsed Kleefisch)''

Endorsements

Polling

Graphical summary

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

=Nominee

= * Roger Roth,

from the 19th district (2015–2023)

Eliminated in primary

*David D. King, businessman and

perennial candidate A perennial candidate is a political candidate who frequently runs for elected office and rarely, if ever, wins. Perennial candidates are most common where there is no limit on the number of times that a person can run for office and little cost ...

*Will Martin, former

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is an agency of the Wisconsin state government responsible for providing services to Wisconsin workers, employers, and job-seekers to meet Wisconsin's workforce needs. To effect its mission, ...

official *

Patrick Testin Patrick Testin (born June 9, 1988) is an American Republican politician from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He is the current of the Wisconsin Senate, since 2021, and has served in the Senate since 2017. He represents Wisconsin's 24th Senate d ...

from the 24th district (2017–present) *David Varnam, mayor of

Lancaster Lancaster may refer to: Lands and titles *The County Palatine of Lancaster, a synonym for Lancashire *Duchy of Lancaster, one of only two British royal duchies *Duke of Lancaster *Earl of Lancaster *House of Lancaster, a British royal dynasty ...

(2016–present) *Cindy Werner, businesswoman and candidate for in

and

*Jonathan Wichmann, businessman *Kyle Yudes, activist

=Withdrawn

= *Ben Voelkel, former aide to

Endorsements

Results

Independents

Candidates

Withdrawn

*Joan Ellis Beglinger, retired nurse and hospital administrator ''(remained on ballot; endorsed Michels)'' **Running mate: N/A *Jess Hisel, engineer and Air Force veteran **Running mate: N/A

General election

Predictions

Post-primary endorsements

Polling

Aggregate polls
Graphical summary
Tony Evers vs. Rebecca Kleefisch
Tony Evers vs. Tim Ramthun
Tony Evers vs. Kevin Nicholson
Tony Evers vs. Jonathan Wichmann
Tony Evers vs. generic Republican

Debates

Results

By county

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic *

Door A door is a hinged or otherwise movable barrier that allows ingress (entry) into and egress (exit) from an enclosure. The created opening in the wall is a ''doorway'' or ''portal''. A door's essential and primary purpose is to provide securit ...

(largest municipality:

Sturgeon Bay Sturgeon Bay is an arm of Green Bay extending southeastward approximately 10 miles into the Door Peninsula at the city of Sturgeon Bay, located approximately halfway up the Door Peninsula. The bay is connected to Lake Michigan by the Sturgeo ...

) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican * Crawford (largest municipality:

Prairie du Chien Prairie du Chien may refer to: Places *Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Prairie du Chien ( ) is a city in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. The population was 5,506 at the 2020 census. Often called Wisconsin's second- ...

) * Grant (largest municipality: Platteville) *

(largest municipality:

) * Richland (largest municipality: Richland Center)

By congressional district

Despite losing, Michels won 5 out of 8 congressional districts. Evers won 3 of 8 congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links

Official campaign websites
Tony Evers (D) for Governor

Jess Hisel (I) for Governor

Tim Michels (R) for Governor
Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites
Sara Rodriguez (D) for Lieutenant Governor

Roger Roth (R) for Lieutenant Governor
{{2022 United States elections

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

Wisconsin Wisconsin ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest of the United States. It borders Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michig ...

2022 Wisconsin elections

Democratic primary

Governor

Nominee

Disqualified

Endorsements

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

=Nominee

= Eliminated in primary

=Withdrawn

=Declined

Endorsements

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Governor

Nominee

=Eliminated in primary

=Disqualified

=Withdrawn

=Declined

Endorsements

Polling

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

=Nominee

Eliminated in primary

=Withdrawn

Endorsements

Results

Independents

Candidates

Withdrawn

General election

Predictions

Post-primary endorsements

Polling

Debates

Results

By county

By congressional district

See also

Notes

References

External links