Politicos, rivals, and potential candidates react to Gov. Evers' decision to not run for third term

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers announced he will not seek a third term, ending his tenure as Wisconsin’s 46th governor after two terms in office. The decision was shared Thursday, July 24 in a recorded message reflecting on his five decades in public service.

Evers said, "I will not be running for a third term."

He added, "The only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa." He also said, "I’ve spent 50 years in public service. I’m damn proud I devoted my entire career, and most of my life, to working for you."

Evers said he will continue focusing on his policy priorities through the remainder of his current term.

It sets up the first open race for Wisconsin governor since 2010, and just the second since 1982.

With no incumbent to attack or defend, candidates will have to focus on separating themselves from the packs.

Brandon Scholz, a former Republican strategist, told us, "Both sides now have to approach this as starting from square one. Neither side necessarily has an advantage."

For weeks, potential candidates have been prepping for the possibility of Evers not running. Now they're deciding just how long to wait before announcing they're running in what is expected to be a very crowded field.

Democratic strategist Sachin Chheda told us, "It is an important process. I think it's great the voters decide, it's not party bosses behind closed doors."

Chheda said a primary that forces candidates to earn voters' trust only strengthens the party and the eventual nominee. "The voters will winnow that field. It will be an election and a message and personality that shines through is who's going to win."

For the Democrats, some big names in statewide and local offices have been mentioned as potential candidates. Among them are Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Madison State Senator Kelda Roys.

Some were noncommittal Thursday, but several are expected to announce a run very soon.

Johnson told us, "Of course, it’s something I’ve been interested in. We’ll see what happens as we move forward here."

And Roys said, "I’m certainly giving it strong consideration. One thing I can certainly say is that I’m going to continue my work traveling around the state of Wisconsin." 0147 7 sec

The two Republicans already running, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and businessman Bill Berrien, downplayed the impact of Evers' announcement on their campaigns.

Schoemann said, "Nothing's changed as far as I'm concerned, except we're retiring Tony Evers on his own true volition."

And Berrien said, "Governor Evers dropping out does not change the approach at all."

But strategists say an open race will ramp up the pressure and refocus strategy.

With control of the State Senate in play next November, neither side wants to lose control of both that chamber and the governorship.

And Wisconsin's role in national politics has drawn record-setting interest in recent years.

Scholz said, "Wisconsin is either going to impact the presidential race, it's going to impact the majority of the Senate or House."

That means the state -and the airwaves- will probably be flooded with a lot of money… again.

Chheda said, "I think there's going to be a tremendous amount of influence that's tried to be purchased in this race. I think we're going to see tens of millions of dollars spent on each side."

Devin Remiker, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, issued a Thursday statement to celebrate Gov. Evers and his legacy, saying, "Whether it’s investing in our kids and strengthening public education, defending our fundamental rights and freedoms, or fixing the damn roads, his steady leadership has been instrumental in transforming our state and moving us forward."

Remiker also addressed the next steps of finding his successor to be the Democratic candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial race.

"While Republican candidates rush to embrace the most extreme elements of their party and face another divisive and bitter primary battle, we will be prepared to hold them accountable and ensure Wisconsin elects a Democratic governor in 2026," Remiker said.

Senator LaTonya Johnson also issued a public response to offer her support for the work Gov. Evers has done in his role.

"When the gerrymandered majority passed legislation that would have taken Wisconsin backward, he used his veto pen to protect public education, reproductive freedom, and voting access. At every turn, he used his office to prevent lasting harm to the state," she said.

Brian Schimming, Chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, also issued a statement, saying, "Tony Evers saw the writing on the wall: Wisconsinites are fed up with far-left policies. While Wisconsin Democrats continue to lose the approval of voters, Republicans are already working on winning up and down the ballot."
 

Stay tuned to CBS 58 for continued coverage.