Wisconsin GOP opens governor’s race as Tiffany announces bid

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Wisconsin Republican, announced his bid for governor, entering a crowded field in an open-seat race. In a campaign video, Tiffany said, 'Madison politics may smell like the barn, but I know how to clean up the bull. I will roll up my sleeves and deliver results for every Wisconsinite.'

His campaign centers on reducing taxes and safeguarding Wisconsin’s agricultural and business interests. He pledged to 'freeze property taxes, protect our farmland from Communist China, and I’ll preserve our Wisconsin values, just like my mom does with her pickles.'

The governor’s race will be open this year after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced he will not seek a third term. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann joined the Republican field, writing on X, 'Welcome to the race, @TomTiffanyWI! Looking forward to a Republican primary focused on ideas and winning back the governor’s office.'

Bill Berrien, a former Navy SEAL and businessman who frames himself as a political outsider, also launched a campaign. He said Madison’s bureaucracy has stifled growth and urged a return to 'builders who will create prosperity for all through work, revitalize the manufacturing infrastructure that lies dormant in our state, and jumpstart our economy.' He added, 'As the only builder in this race, I’m the strongest general election candidate Democrats will face — and they know it!'

Tiffany has served in the U.S. House since May 2020 after winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by Republican Sean Duffy, who now serves as secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The field’s other contenders see the open seat as an opportunity to shape Wisconsin policy on taxes, agriculture, and manufacturing ahead of a potential shift in statewide leadership.

Wisconsin has swung between parties in recent cycles. President Donald Trump won Wisconsin in 2016 and again in 2024 but lost the state in 2020. The governor’s race, viewed as a bellwether for broader political trends, will test how candidates balance economic growth with rural and cultural priorities in a battleground state.

As the campaign unfolds, analysts will watch how the open-seat dynamic affects messaging, fundraising, and coalition-building across the state. The evolving field—combining veterans and newcomers—illustrates how Wisconsin voters may define leadership in the coming years.