(The Center Square) – Scott Walker is not running for governor.
Walker, who served two terms as governor, took to social media over the weekend to clarify that he’s not jumping into next year’s race.
“I’m not going to be a candidate for governor in 2026,” Walker said in his video. “I’m going to continue my work as president of Young America’s Foundation.”
Walker was first elected in 2010, then won a statewide recall race in 2012, and won his third election for governor in 2014.
He was Wisconsin’s 45th governor, and had he run again and won, he would have been the state’s 47th. That’s why Republicans in the state took special notice when he posted a picture of a MAGA hat with 45, 47 on the side.
“It really was an honor to serve as the 45th governor of this great state,” Walker said. “Looking ahead we’ve got to work even harder to make Wisconsin great again.”
Walker then said one of the keys to a Republican return to the governor’s office is the youth vote.
“When I last successfully ran for re-election, we took 47% of the vote of people aged 18-29,” Walker explained. “Eight years later, the Republican running for governor took just 30% of the vote with that group.”
That Republican was Tim Michaels. Michaels has not said if he plans to try again with a run in 2026.
With Walker out, the Republican field remains businessman Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann.
Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany on Monday said he’ll decide whether he’s running within the next 60 days.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez announced her bid for governor last week with a video of her own. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley also said on Friday he’s running in the Democratic race to replace Gov. Tony Evers.
Next year’s race will be the first since 2010 where Wisconsin voters will not see an incumbent governor on the ballot.
