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In this update:
- State of the State
- Election Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
| | State of the State Address | | ICYMI: Read the Michael Best Strategies update on the State of the State Address: click here | | Poll gives first look this year at 2026 Race for Governor | |
The conservative group League of American Workers released new polling this week showing former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes leading the field of Democratic candidates in the gubernatorial race, despite 35% of respondents saying they were undecided. Of those who said they plan to vote in the Democratic primary for governor, 28% supported Mr. Barnes and 20% supported current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley received 7% support, followed by State Rep. Francesca Hong at 5%, State Sen. Kelda Roys at 2%, former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes at 1%, and Brett Hulsey at 1%.
Among all registered voters, Lt. Gov. Rodriguez had the highest net favorability rating with 26% of respondents saying they had a favorable view and 16% saying they had an unfavorable view for a +10% overall favorability rating. Meanwhile former Lt. Gov. Barnes was viewed favorably by 33% and unfavorably by 27% for a net +6 favorability rating. Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany was viewed favorably by 26% and unfavorably by 24% for a +1 net favorability.
The survey of 1,524 registered Wisconsin voters was conducted Feb. 6–12 by TIPP Insights using its national network of panel partners. Results were weighted by gender, age, race, education, and prior vote to match established benchmarks. The margin of error for the full sample is ±2.7 percentage points. Among all respondents, 646 said they plan to vote in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. A margin of error for that subsample was not provided. According to Nate Silver’s ratings, TIPP Insights is rated an “A” pollster.
| The Marquette University Law School Poll will release their first Wisconsin poll of 2026 on Wednesday, February 25th at 12:15 pm central time which will give us another look at the 2026 Governor's race. | Roys announces 'KeldaCare' | |
Democratic Senator Kelda Roys has released her “KeldaCare” healthcare plan as a part of her run for governor. The proposal would allow all Wisconsinites, individuals, businesses, and nonprofits, to buy into the health plan currently offered to state employees, expand the health care workforce and increase oversight of insurers and drug companies.
Senator Roys argues the plan goes further than Medicaid expansion or a traditional public option, aiming to lower costs by broadening the coverage pool. It includes efforts to boost prescription drug purchasing power, cap co-pays for some medications, require coverage of over-the-counter contraception, and expand loan forgiveness for health care workers.
Her platform also incorporates measures she’s previously introduced, such as expanding access to contraception, infertility treatment, abortion services, and mental health care, while targeting surprise billing and increasing insurer accountability. Some elements could be enacted by executive order, though others would require legislative support.
| Tiffany new statewide ad buy | | |
Tom Tiffany, Republican candidate for Governor, has launched a statewide digital and streaming ad highlighting the rising utility costs in Wisconsin.
His campaign notes that since 2019, Governor Tony Evers’ Public Service Commission appointees have approved $2.2 billion in utility rate increases, far more than during a comparable period under former Governor Scott Walker. Wisconsin now has some of the highest electricity rates in the Midwest, surpassing the national average.
“Wisconsin families are paying for these decisions,” Congressman Tiffany said. “We need a governor who will hold the PSC accountable, protect reliable energy sources, safeguard farmland, and expand nuclear power to help lower costs.”
Congressman Tiffany says he would push for PSC oversight reforms and address what he calls a “revolving door” between regulators and utilities.
His new ad, “Stop the Sticker Shock,” calls for preserving baseload power, reevaluating power plant closures, and protecting farmland from large-scale energy projects.
| Speaker Vos will not seek reelection | | |
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, the longest-serving speaker in Wisconsin history, announced that he will not seek reelection. The Speaker grew emotional on the Assembly Floor as he said he has been weighing retirement for months and that a heart attack in November ultimately convinced him it was time to step aside.
In a written statement, Speaker Vos said “I have accomplished all that I wanted to accomplish serving in the Assembly and am proud of the conservative victories that benefit all of Wisconsin,” pointing to major conservative reforms during his tenure, including billions in tax cuts, $35 billion in Act 10 savings, expanded school choice, and efforts to limit the size of government. He also highlighted what he called the country’s first bipartisan legislative operating agreement, saying it reaffirmed that “the gavel belongs to the institution, not an individual.”
Speaker Vos was first elected in 2004 and became speaker in 2013, leading the Assembly through the GOP’s longest continuous majority in modern state history. He will serve the remainder of his term and thanked his constituents, colleagues, and his wife Michelle for their support. “My tenure was never about longevity; it was about stewardship and approaching each issue deliberately and with respect for the people we serve but it is now time to pass the baton to the next generation of conservative leaders.”
Please click here to view the full announcement video.
| | Evers statement on Vos’ retirement | | |
Governor Tony Evers issued the following statement regarding Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ retirement:
“The Speaker’s retirement marks the end of an era in Wisconsin politics, and I’m grateful to have served as governor during Speaker Vos’ tenure. Although we’ve disagreed more often than we didn’t, I respect his candor, his ability to navigate complex policies and conversations, and his unrivaled passion for politics.”
Read the full statement here.
| Senate Leadership statement on Vos’ retirement | |
Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) released the following statement regarding Assembly Speaker Vos’ retirement:
“He led Wisconsin through the most important fiscal turnaround in the state’s history, going from financial chaos to a multi-billion-dollar surplus while bringing taxes to historic lows. Regardless of politics, every Wisconsinite should be appreciative of his dedication to serving the state. We thank Speaker Vos for his dedication to public service, wish him good health and relaxation in retirement, and look forward to continuing to work closely with the next Speaker of the Assembly.“
Read the full press release here.
| | Born’s statement on Vos’ retirement | | |
Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance released the following statement:
“Speaker Vos has dedicated years of service to the people of Wisconsin, and our state is stronger because of his leadership. I want to sincerely thank Robin for his commitment to advance policies that promote fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and opportunity for Wisconsin families.”
Read the full press release here.
| | Schutt announces bid for 11th SD | | |
Former Republican State Rep. Ellen Schutt of Clinton has announced she is running for the 11th Senate District, which is the seat being vacated by Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater). Ms. Schutt served in the Assembly from 2022-2024 representing parts of Rock and Walworth Counties. Most recently, she worked with the Wisconsin FFA Foundation, supporting agricultural education and leadership development for rural youth across the state. According to a press release from Ms. Schutt’s campaign, she is running for the 11th SD to ensure southeastern Wisconsin continues to have principled, conservative leadership in the State Senate.
The 11th Senate District includes the majority of Walworth and Kenosha counties, as well as southwest Racine County and southeast Rock County. In 2024, 63% of the district voted for President Donald Trump and 62% voted for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde. In 2022, Sen. Nass won the district with 58.3% of the vote.
| | Republican leaders outline $2.3B surplus spending plan | |
Republican legislative leaders are proposing a $2.3 billion plan combining Senate Republicans’ tax rebate proposal with funding priorities backed by Governor Tony Evers, including special education aid and additional property tax relief.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said their caucuses have agreed in principle on how to use the state’s $2.5 billion surplus, calling the offer a “good-faith attempt” in their letter to Governor Evers to address rising costs and reduce property tax impacts stemming from Governor Evers’ veto.
Highlights of the GOP proposal:
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$1.48B in tax rebates
- $1,000 for married couples
- $500 for other filers
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$500M for the school levy credit
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$200M for special education reimbursement
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$30M in flood recovery grants
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$1.4M for an educator expense deduction
They also support more funding and staffing adjustments for FoodShare, allowing the Department of Health Services (DHS) to convert vacant positions instead of adding new ones.
According to the most recent reporting, Speaker Vos says no deal has been struck yet on a tax relief package between GOP legislators and the governor, but that talks continue. He signaled a willingness to have the Assembly return for a special session once a compromise is reached.
In his State of the State address, Governor Tony Evers rejected the proposal stating: “Giving working families a little more breathing room in their household budgets is something we’ve worked on together over the last seven years. I’m hopeful we can continue building upon those efforts this session, including reaching bipartisan agreement on a plan to get meaningful resources to K-12 schools and provide property tax relief. And it must balance these important obligations a heckuva lot better than the plan Republican leaders sent me this week.”
| | Trump Trade 2.0: Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Use for Tariffs | | |
The Supreme Court announced the opinion on Learning Resources v. Trump today, striking down the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as a vehicle for the implementation of tariffs. The 6-3 decision was authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, with Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch joining the three liberal justices in the majority. Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh dissented.
Read the full update here.
The Michael Best Strategies Federal Trade team is in close communication with trade officials and monitoring any updates related to the decision in the IEEPA case. We will continue to provide updates on any significant developments related to this decision. Please reach out to Partner and Trade Practice Lead Sarah Helton at sarah.helton@michaelbest.com with any questions.
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Monday, February 23rd - Meet the Gubernatorial Candidate - Tom Tiffany
Friday, February 27th - Capitol Chats with Sen. Mary Felzkowski (virtual)
Monday, March 2nd - Meet the WI Supreme Court Candidate - Chris Taylor
Monday, March 9th - Meet the Gubernatorial Candidate - Joel Brennan
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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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