Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced he will not seek a third term, opening the door for a competitive Democratic primary and potential Republican candidates, with the primary scheduled for August 11, 2026, and the general election on November 3, 2026.
A Wisconsin judge has struck down key parts of a law that limited the power of public sector unions, a significant legal decision that challenges the legacy of former Governor Scott Walker's controversial 2011 legislation. The ruling could restore collective bargaining rights to thousands of public employees in the state.
A Dane County judge has overturned Wisconsin's Act 10, a 2011 law that restricted collective bargaining for most public employees, citing constitutional violations. The ruling, which challenges the division of public employees into "general" and "public safety" categories, has sparked reactions from both supporters and critics, including former Governor Scott Walker. The decision is expected to face appeals, as it could significantly impact public employee unions and state budget policies.
Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, who is overseeing a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's law that bans nearly all collective bargaining for public workers, appears to have signed a 2011 petition to recall then-Gov. Scott Walker. The revelation has sparked debate over whether Frost should recuse himself from the case. The law, known as Act 10, was a defining issue of Walker's tenure and led to a failed recall attempt in 2012. The case is expected to reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Republican-appointed University of Wisconsin regent Robert Atwell refuses to step down at the end of his term, citing a state Supreme Court ruling that allows him to remain until a successor is confirmed by the state Senate. Atwell, appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker, expressed concerns about the UW system's financial reporting and COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has yet to announce a successor.
Republican-appointed University of Wisconsin regent Robert Atwell refuses to step down when his term ends, citing a state Supreme Court ruling that allows political appointees to remain until a successor is confirmed by the Senate. Atwell, appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker, plans to stay on to support communication between legislators and the regents, while criticizing the UW system's financial reporting and COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet announced a successor.
Wisconsin voters will elect the swing Justice on an ideologically divided state Supreme Court next week, with the refusal of progressive candidate Janet Protasiewicz to say if she would recuse herself from hearing a case she has already pre-judged raising concerns. Protasiewicz has publicly declared that she believes former Gov. Scott Walker's landmark 2011 collective-bargaining reform, known as Act 10, is unconstitutional, and even joined protests against the law and signed a petition to recall then Gov. Walker.
Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who was once considered the GOP 2016 presidential frontrunner, has praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a potential White House hopeful and one of the more promising Republicans to emerge in the post-Trump era. Walker believes DeSantis handled the last four years the best out of all the governors in America.