Wisconsin has another jam-packed election season in 2026, and for the first time in years, the future of which party holds power at the Capitol and controls state government is truly up in the air.
Over the summer, Democratic Governor Tony Evers announced he would retire at the end of his current term, leaving the seat of the state’s chief executive wide open for the first time since 2010. A long list of Democrats have jumped in the race to replace him, and two Republicans have also announced bids.
In the state Legislature, Democrats also see a chance to flip at least the Senate if not the Assembly after the state’s legislative maps were redrawn to be more competitive.
But nothing is certain, said University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky. He said it’s completely possible for Democrats to win a trifecta and control both the Legislature and the governor’s seat, but Republicans also stand a chance. The power could also be split between the parties again, he said.
“There is genuine uncertainty in a way that we have not seen in a long time about the balance of power in Wisconsin government. When we look ahead to this election cycle, I mean, pick your combination,” Chergosky said. “Mix and match your options and all of them are on the table.”