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In this update:
- Election Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Federal Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
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Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, the first Democrat to officially launch a campaign to succeed outgoing Governor Tony Evers, was on WISN’s ‘UpFront’ on Sunday. On Governor Evers’ decision not to run, Lt. Gov. Rodriguez stated, “He has set us up for success, and I can't wait just to knock it out of the park with what he's done.” Lt. Gov. Rodriguez also said she would “certainly welcome” an endorsement from the Governor, “But that's going to be up to him.”
Other topics discussed by Lt. Gov. Rodriguez:
- Dynamics of a future Democratic primary
- Recently-signed biennial budget
- Campaign message and approach
Watch the full episode here.
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Democratic candidates considering
2026 bid for Governor
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With Gov. Tony Evers’ announcement that he will not seek re-election, there will be an open Democratic Primary to succeed him. During a stop at Purple Door Ice Cream in Milwaukee for his “Ice Cream Townhall” events, Gov. Tony Evers told reporters that although he does not plan on endorsing a candidate in the 2026 Democratic Primary, he would not rule it out. “I’ll never say never, but I want to make sure who the rest of the candidates are, before I even make that decision,” Gov. Evers said. “If there’s somebody who really needs support and I want them to win, I might get in.” Democratic candidates that have publicly announced plans to run for Governor are Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Other potential candidates include:
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Attorney General Josh Kaul stated that he is not making any announcements about a possible run yet, and that it is “important that we take a bit of time to reflect” on the Governor’s service to Wisconsin. The AG also noted he looks “forward to continuing to work with Gov. Evers in the year-and-a-half ahead as we work to stand up for the best interests of the people of Wisconsin.”
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Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said he is considering joining the race.
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State Sen. Kelda Roys (Madison) said she is “strongly considering a run.”
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State Sen. Chris Larson (Milwaukee) told WisPolitics.com that his decision relies on if he feels the field of candidates will “fight for the people of Wisconsin.”
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State Rep. Ryan Clancy (Milwaukee) said he is considering a run and waiting to see which candidates enter the race. If there is a candidate focused on the working class, Rep. Clancy said he will not need to run.
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WI Sec. of State Sarah Godlewski confirmed this week that she is not going to run for governor, but is considering a run for Lt. Governor.
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Republican candidates considering
2026 bid for Governor
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With Governor Tony Evers not running for re-election, Wisconsin will have its first open race for Governor since 2010. Currently, the only announced Republican gubernatorial candidates are Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and Milwaukee-area businessman Bill Berrien. Other potential Republican candidates include:
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U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said “I'm gonna make a decision after July here, and we'll see” and that "I'm steadily, methodically going through the process."
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State Sen. Mary Felzkowski (Tomahawk) is reportedly considering a bid, but has not made an announcement.
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Businessman Matt Neumann stated this week that he hasn’t ruled out running, but that his focus remains on electing Republicans to “prevent Wisconsin from turning into Illinois.” Neumann’s father Mark Neumann served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Former Governor Scott Walker announced last Sunday that he will not run for Governor in 2026.
The Republican Party of Milwaukee County is running a straw poll on Republican gubernatorial candidates at the Wisconsin State Fair this week. In addition to the potential candidates noted above, their poll also includes former US Senate candidate Eric Hovde, State Senator Julian Bradley, former Lieutenant Governor candidate Will Martin and former State Representative Tim Ramthun.
| “Sabato’s Crystal Ball” moves race for governor to toss-up | |
The University of Virginia’s “Sabato’s Crystal Ball” newsletter on Tuesday moved their rating of the Wisconsin Governor’s race from “Leans Democratic” to “Toss-up.” In announcing the rating change, “Crystal Ball” noted the move was made “in large part because of the uncertainty that can come with open-seat contests.” The change came just days after two-term Democratic Governor Tony Evers announced he would not be seeking a third term in 2026.
Read the full story from UVA here.
| Zimmerman Launches Campaign in the 13th AD | | |
Amy Zimmerman, the co-owner of Brown Dog Gadgets and member of the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Commission has announced her candidacy for the 13th Assembly District. Zimmerman announced she would be running for the seat following current state Representative Robyn Vining’s announcement that she will not be seeking re-election in the Assembly and will instead be running for the 5th Senate District. In 2024, Rep. Vining won the 13th AD with 57.2% of the total vote.
| | LFB releases Tax and Fee Analysis of 2025-27 biennial budget | | |
According to a new report from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), the 2025-27 biennial budget recently passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers will decrease state tax collections by $1.5 billion, increase net fees by $181.5 million, and bring in an additional $108.8 million in additional revenue through enhanced tax collection measures. A majority of the new fees - roughly $116.3 million - is due to a $50 increase in motor vehicle title fees. The report also notes the increased hospital assessment rate on patient revenues will generate an additional $918.8 million in revenue for hospitals during each year of the biennium.
Read the full report here.
| LFB releases analysis of One Big Beautiful Bill Act on WI Medicaid and FoodShare | The LFB this week also released a memo outlining how the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) impacts state funding and work requirements for Wisconsin’s Medicaid program as well as FoodShare. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services previously released their own analysis of the OBBA’s impact on FoodShare and Medicaid. | | Leg. Council Clarifies JCRAR Oversight Powers following Supreme Court decision | | |
In Evers v. Marklein II, the Wisconsin Supreme Court invalidated five state statutes that gave the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) the power to delay, suspend, or block agency rules without going through the full legislative process. The Court ruled these statutes unconstitutional because they violated the Wisconsin Constitution’s requirements for bicameralism and presentment. The Issue Brief released by the Wisconsin Legislative Council, the legal service agency for the Legisalture, “identifies the five JCRAR powers expressly invalidated in Marklein II and describes the remaining statutory roles of JCRAR and its cochairs in the oversight of the administrative rulemaking process and in oversight of the existing administrative code under current law.”
Read the full briefing here.
| | Hesselbein recaps budget on podcast | | |
Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein told WisPolitics’ Capitol Chats podcast that Democrats’ improved 15-seat margin under the new legislative maps helped block “terrible, draconian cuts” in the state budget. The Middleton Democrat noted the maps flipped four seats, reducing the GOP’s supermajority from 22-11 to a narrower 18-15 advantage — an outcome she called “extremely helpful” during budget negotiations.
Before reaching a budget deal with Gov. Evers, GOP lawmakers had proposed an $87 million cut to the Universities of Wisconsin and a modest increase in special education funding. Instead, the final budget included a $240 million net increase for UW and raised the special education reimbursement rate from 32.1% to 45%. Four GOP senators opposed the budget, making Democratic support essential for its passage. When asked whether Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer should have included in negotiations, Sen. Hesselbein responded, “that wasn't a decision that I was able to make.” Assembly Minority Leader Neubauer, D-Racine, ultimately voted against the budget, citing insufficient education funding and her exclusion from the bipartisan talks. Sen. Hesslebein stated, “certainly, I get along well with Leader Neubauer. You know, really this budget was really about tough negotiations, compromise, and it was a spirited discussion.” Sen. Hesselbein said. “We forged a budget that wasn't perfect. It's not the budget that Democrats will be putting forth when we're in the majority, but it does address some of the priorities that Wisconsinites have clearly expressed.”
Listen to the full interview here.
| | Trump Trade 2.0: T-Minus 2 Days Until August 1 | | |
Copper Import Proclamation Released
On July 30, President Trump issued a proclamation declaring that the U.S. would levy a 50% tariff on certain copper imports under the President’s Section 232 authority, due to go into effect on August 1. The 50% tariff will apply to semi-finished products as well as copper-intensive derivative products. Excluded from the tariffs are copper ores, copper scrap, and some copper products such as mattes, anodes, and cathodes. This tariff is less encompassing than originally anticipated when the President announced earlier this month that a 50% tariff would be levied on all copper imports. The proclamation also states that the President can implement a separate 15% tariff starting in 2027 and a 30% tariff starting in 2028 on all imported refined copper. The order also instructs the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that 25% of domestically produced copper input and scrap be sold within the U.S., as well as implement export controls over certain high-quality copper products.
Read the complete update from the Michael Best Strategies Federal Team.
Are you concerned about the impacts of the outlined trade issues? Please contact Sarah Helton, Michael Best Strategies’ Trade Practice Lead at sarah.helton@michaelbest.com for assistance.
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The following meetings have been noticed as of 12:00 am Friday. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration).
Monday, August 4
No meetings currently scheduled.
Tuesday, August 5
Assembly Transportation Committee
Executive Session at 10:30 AM
Public Hearing at 10:31 AM
Wednesday, August 6
No meetings currently scheduled.
Thursday, August 7
No meetings currently scheduled.
Friday, August 8
No meetings currently scheduled.
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Monday, August 25th at 11:30am - Meet the Cabinet with Department of Children and Families Secretary-Designee Jeff Pertl
Register for the event here.
Tuesday, September 16th at 11:30am - Meet the Cabinet with Department of Natural Resources Secretary-Designee Karen Hyun
Invite coming soon!
We are briefly pausing “Capitol Chats” through the summer, and the series will resume in September.
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If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.
Have a great day,
Wisconsin GR Team
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One South Pickney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-3501
Fax: 608-283-2275
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