Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, said Tuesday he would run for reelection as the state’s attorney general and would not run for governor, as was speculated.
The governor’s race is open after Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) announced he would not seek a third term. Kaul did not touch on the gubernatorial speculation in a campaign statement, but said the attorney general’s race comes at a “pivotal time” for the country.
“Some of our most basic rights are under threat. Severe cuts have been made to programs that provide opportunities and have helped communities move forward. It’s critical that we continue to have an AG who will stand up for our freedoms and the rule of law,” Kaul said.
Kaul was first elected in 2018 as Wisconsin attorney general, ousting incumbent Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel. He won reelection in 2022.
Since President Donald Trump retook office in January, Kaul has filed or joined several lawsuits seeking to block moves by the Trump administration. He has also advocated Democratic causes, including pushing to overturn the state’s 19th-century abortion law, which banned the procedure in nearly every circumstance.
There are a growing number of Democratic candidates who have launched campaigns for governor so far, including state Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has the support of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who unsuccessfully ran against Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) in the 2022 midterm elections, said he is “strongly considering entering the race for Governor,” after Kaul’s decision.
“I’ve been blown away by the number of people across the state who have reached out and asked me to run, and I will have more to say very soon,” he said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) announced his campaign for governor last month. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann is also a Republican candidate in the governor’s race.
This is the first Wisconsin gubernatorial race since 2010 with no incumbent.
