2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2022 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers won re-election to a second term by a margin of 3.4%, defeating Republican nominee Tim Michels.

2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

← 2018 November 8, 2022 2026 →
Turnout	56.7% ( 4.5%)
Nominee Tony Evers Tim Michels Party Democratic Republican Running mate Sara Rodriguez Roger Roth Popular vote 1,358,774 1,268,535 Percentage 51.15% 47.75%
County results Congressional districts results Precinct results Evers:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Michels:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No data
Governor before election Tony Evers Democratic Elected Governor Tony Evers Democratic

As Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes ran for the U.S. Senate in the concurrent election, a new Democratic running mate, state assemblywoman Sara Rodriguez, was nominated in the partisan primary. Barnes was the second lieutenant governor not to run with the incumbent governor since the state constitution was amended in 1967. The partisan primary was held on August 9, 2022, with businessman Tim Michels defeating former lieutenant governor Rebecca Kleefisch in the Republican primary. State senator Roger Roth received the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

This election result was the first since 2006 in which a Democrat in Wisconsin won with an outright majority of the vote, the first since 1990 in which the winner was from the same party as the incumbent president, and the first since 1962 in which Wisconsin voted for a Democratic governor at the same time the party held the presidency. This was also the first gubernatorial election in the state since 1998 in which the winning candidate was of a different party than the winner of the concurrent U.S. Senate election.

Evers's victory was labeled a slight upset, as he was initially elected back in 2018 by a meager 1.1%, despite 2018 being considered a much more favorable year for Democrats than 2022. In addition, many polls showed Michels in the lead in the weeks leading up to the election. According to Ron Brownstein of CNN in 2023, Evers won independent voters by 6–7 percentage points, which contributed to Michels's defeat.^[1]

Evers did substantially better than Mandela Barnes did against incumbent senator Ron Johnson in suburban areas of the state in this election as well as compared to his initial election in 2018, chiefly in the "WOW" counties of Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington that form a ring around the north and west of Milwaukee, performing in line with Biden's 2020 margins. On the flip side, Michels did better in most rural areas than former governor Scott Walker had in 2018, winning the counties of Crawford, Grant, and Richland, three counties that Evers had previously won four years earlier. Michels also flipped the county of Kenosha. One exception to the trend toward Republicans in rural areas was Door County, which flipped to Evers after having voted for Walker in 2018. Notably, Evers carried the 3rd congressional district, which Republican Derrick Van Orden concurrently won after losing in 2020 to then-Representative Ron Kind; Evers also came within 0.2% of carrying the 1st congressional district.

Democratic primary

Governor

Nominee

• Tony Evers, incumbent governor (2019–present)^[2]

Disqualified

• Job Edmond Hou-Seye, former alderman of Sheboygan (2015–2017)^[3]

Endorsements

Tony Evers

Organizations

• 314 Action^[4]
• Giffords^[5]
• Human Rights Campaign^[6]
• Jewish Democratic Council of America^[7]
• NARAL Pro-Choice America^[8]
• United Rural Democrats of America^[9]

Labor unions

• United Auto Workers^[10]
• Wisconsin AFL–CIO^[11]

Results

Democratic primary results^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tony Evers (incumbent)	491,656	100.0%
Total votes			491,656	100.0%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Nominee

• Sara Rodriguez, state assemblywoman from the 13th district (2021–2023)^[13]

Eliminated in primary

• Peng Her, CEO of Hmong Institute^[14]

Withdrawn

• David Bowen, state assemblyman from the 10th district (2015–2023)^[15]
• Lena Taylor, state senator from the 4th district (2005–2024) and former state assemblywoman from the 18th district (2003–2005) (ran for mayor of Milwaukee)^[16][17]

Declined

• Mandela Barnes, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–2023) (ran for U.S. Senate)^[18]

Endorsements

Sara Rodriguez

Statewide officials

• Barbara Lawton, former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin (2003–2011)^[19]

State legislators

• Jonathan Brostoff, state representative from the 19th district (2015–2022)^[20]
• Tim Carpenter, state senator from the 3rd district (2003–present)^[20]
• Sue Conley, state representative from 44th district (2021–present)^[20]
• Steve Doyle, state representative from the 94th district (2011–present)^[20]
• Jodi Emerson, state assemblywoman from the 91st district (2019–present)^[20]
• Gary Hebl, state representative from the 46th district (2005–2023)^[20]
• La Tonya Johnson, state senator from the 6th district (2017–present)^[20]
• Chris Larson, state senator from the 7th district (2011–present)^[20]
• Nick Milroy, state representative from the 73rd district (2009–2023)^[20]
• Tod Ohnstad, state representative from the 65th district (2013–2025)^[20]
• Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, state representative (Wisconsin Assembly, District 8) and Milwaukee County Board supervisor ^[20]
• Daniel Riemer, state representative from the 7th district (2013–2025)^[20]
• Kelda Roys, state senator from Wisconsin Senate, District 26 (2021–present)^[20]
• Kristina Shelton, state representative from the 90th district (2021–present)^[20]
• Christine Sinicki, state representative from the 20th district (1999–present)^[20]
• Mark Spreitzer, state representative from the 45th district (2015–present)^[20]
• Lisa Subeck, state representative from the 78th district (2015–present)^[20]
• Don Vruwink, state assemblyman from the 43rd district (2017–2023)^[20]
• Robert Wirch, state senator from Wisconsin's 22nd State Senate district (1997–present)^[20]

Party officials

• Sachin Chheda, former chairman of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party^[20]
• Matthew Mareno, Chairman of the Waukesha County Democratic Party^[20]
• Khary Penebaker, representative to the Democratic National Committee^[20]

Local officials

• Mike Hallquist, Rock County Supervisor^[20]
• JoCasta Zamarripa, member of the Milwaukee Common Council^[20]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Peng Her	Sara Rodriguez	Undecided
Change Research (D)[21][A]	July 1–7, 2022	560 (LV)	± 4.6%	8%	25%	62%

Results

Results by county:

  Rodriguez

•   70–80%
•   80–90%

Lieutenant gubernatorial Democratic primary results^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sara Rodriguez	354,260	76.50%
	Democratic	Peng Her	108,766	23.49%
	Democratic	Angela Kennedy (write-in)	39	0.01%
Total votes			463,065	100.0

Republican primary

Governor

Former lieutenant governor Rebecca Kleefisch finished second in the primary.

Nominee

• Tim Michels, co-owner of the Michels Corporation and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004^[22]

Eliminated in primary

• Adam J. Fischer, former police officer and businessman^[23]
• Rebecca Kleefisch, former lieutenant governor (2011–2019)^[24][25]
• Timothy Ramthun, state representative for the 59th district^[26]

Disqualified

• James Kellen^[27]
• Leonard Larson Jr.^[27]

Withdrawn

• Kevin Nicholson, businessman, former member of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2018 (remained on ballot)^[28]
• Jonathan Wichmann, businessman (ran for lieutenant governor)^[29]

Declined

• Sean Duffy, former U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district (2011–2019)^[30][31]
• Paul Farrow, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin (2021–2022), Waukesha County Executive (2015–present) and former state senator from the 33rd district (2013–2015)^[30][32]
• Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district (2017–2024) (ran for re-election)^[32]
• Eric Hovde, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012^[33]
• Ron Johnson, U.S. senator (2011–present) (ran for re-election)^[34]
• Chris Kapenga, President of the Wisconsin Senate (2021–2025) and state senator from the 33rd district (2015–present) (ran for re-election)^[35]
• John Macco, state representative for the 88th district (2015–present) (ran for re-election; endorsed Kleefisch)^[36]
• Bill McCoshen, lobbyist^[27][37]
• Reince Priebus, former White House Chief of Staff (2017), former chair of the Republican National Committee (2011–2017) and former chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin (2007–2011)^[25]
• Tommy Thompson, former governor (1987–2001), former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2001–2005) and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012 (endorsed Michels)^[38]
• Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2013–present) and state representative for the 63rd district (2005–present) (ran for re-election)^[39]
• Scott Walker, former governor (2011–2019) (endorsed Kleefisch)^[40]

Endorsements

Rebecca Kleefisch

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018)^[41]
• K. T. McFarland, former Deputy National Security Advisor (2017)^[42]
• Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States (2017–2021)^[43]
• Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary (2017–2019) and nominee for Governor of Arkansas in 2022^[44]

Federal officials

• Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas (2013–)^[45]
• Jim Sensenbrenner, former U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 5th congressional district (1979–2021)^[46]
• Tom Tiffany, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 7th congressional district (2020–)^[42]

State officials

• Kim Reynolds, governor of Iowa (2017–)^[47]
• Scott Walker, former governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019)^[48]

State legislators

• Scott Allen, state representative from the 97th district (2015–)^[49]
• David Armstrong, state representative from the 75th district (2021–)^[49]
• Tyler August, speaker pro tempore of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[49]
• Joan Ballweg, state senator from the 14th district (2021–2025)^[49]
• Elijah Behnke, state representative from the 89th district (2021–)^[49]
• Mark Born, state representative from the 39th district (2013–)^[49]
• Julian Bradley, state senator from the 28th district (2021–present)^[24]
• Robert Brooks, state representative from the 60th district (2015–)^[49]
• Rachael Cabral-Guevara, state representative from the 55th district (2021–2025)^[49]
• Calvin Callahan, state representative from the 35th district (2021–)^[49]
• Robert Cowles, state senator from the 2nd district (1987–2025)^[49]
• Alex Dallman, state representative from the 21st district (2021–)^[49]
• Alberta Darling, state senator from the 8th district (1993–2023)^[49]
• Barbara Dittrich, state representative from the 38th district (2019–)^[49]
• James W. Edming, state representative from the 87th district (2015–2025)^[49]
• John Jagler, state senator from the 13th district (2021–)^[49]
• Terry Katsma, state representative from the 26th district (2015–2025)^[49]
• Joel Kitchens, state representative from the 1st district (2015–)^[49]
• Dan Knodl, state representative from the 24th district (2009–2023)^[49]
• Scott Krug, state representative from the 72nd district (2011–)^[49]
• Tony Kurtz, state representative from the 50th district (2019–)^[49]
• Devin LeMahieu, majority leader of the Wisconsin Senate^[49]
• John Macco, state representative from the 88th district (2015–2025)^[36]
• Gae Magnafici, state representative from the 28th district (2019–2025)^[49]
• Howard Marklein, state senator from the 17th district (2015–)^[49]
• Clint Moses, state representative from the 29th district (2021–)^[49]
• Dave Murphy, state representative from the 56th district (2013–)^[49]
• Jeffrey Mursau, state representative from the 36th district (2005–)^[49]
• Stephen Nass, state senator from the 11th district (2015–)^[49]
• Adam Neylon, state representative from the 98th district (2013–)^[49]
• Todd Novak, state representative from the 51st district (2015–)^[49]
• Loren Oldenburg, state representative from the 96th district (2019–2025)^[49]
• William Penterman, state representative from the 37th district (2021–)^[49]
• Kevin David Petersen, state representative from the 40th district (2007–)^[49]
• Jon Plumer, state representative from the 42nd district (2018–2025)^[49]
• Treig Pronschinske, state representative from the 92nd district (2017–)^[49]
• Jessie Rodriguez, state representative from the 21st district (2013–)^[49]
• Donna Rozar, state representative from the 69th district (2021–2025)^[49]
• Michael Schraa, state representative from the 53rd district (2013–2025)^[49]
• Ken Skowronski, state representative from the 82nd district (2014–2023)^[49]
• Patrick Snyder, state representative from the 85th district (2017–)^[49]
• Shae Sortwell, state representative from the 2nd district (2019–)^[49]
• John Spiros, state representative from the 86th district (2013–)^[49]
• Rob Stafsholt, state senator from the 10th district (2021–)^[49]
• David Steffen, state representative from the 4th district (2015–)^[49]
• Jim Steineke, majority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[49]
• Rob Summerfield, state representative from the 67th district (2017–)^[49]
• Rob Swearingen, state representative from the 34th district (2013–)^[49]
• Gary Tauchen, state representative from the 6th district (2007–2023)^[49]
• Jeremy Thiesfeldt, state representative from the 52nd district (2011–2023)^[49]
• Paul Tittl, state representative from the 25th district (2013–)^[49]
• Travis Tranel, state representative from the 49th district (2011–)^[49]
• Ron Tusler, state representative from the 3rd district (2017–)^[49]
• Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[49]
• Van H. Wanggaard, state senator from the 21st district (2011–2012, 2015–)^[49]
• Chuck Wichgers, state representative from the 83rd district (2017–)^[49]
• Robert Wittke, state representative from the 62nd district (2019–)^[49]
• Shannon Zimmerman, state representative from the 30th district (2017–)^[49]

Sheriffs

• 39 county sheriffs^[50]

Local officials

• 101 local officials^[51]

Individuals

• Grover Norquist, founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform^[52]
• Ted Nugent, singer and activist^[42]

Organizations

• American Conservative Union^[53]
• Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin^[54]
• Milwaukee Police Association^[55]
• Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Candidate Fund^[56]
• Wisconsin Family Action PAC^[57]
• Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police^[58]
• Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce^[59]
• Wisconsin Right to Life^[60]
• Wisconsin Young Republicans^[61]

Tim Michels

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)^[62]

Statewide officials

• Tommy Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin (1987–2001)^[63]

Organizations

• Save America PAC^[64]
• Wisconsin Right to Life^[60]

Kevin Nicholson (withdrew)

Individuals

• Dick Uihlein, founder of Uline^[65]

Organizations

• Wisconsin Family Action PAC^[66]

Timothy Ramthun

Federal officials

• Michael Flynn, former United States National Security Advisor (2017), former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (2012–2014) (Democrat)^{[citation needed]}

Individuals

• Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of My Pillow^{[citation needed]}

Declined to endorse

Organizations

• Republican Party of Wisconsin^[67]

Polling

Graphical summary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Eric Hovde	Rebecca Kleefisch	Tim Michels	Kevin Nicholson	Tim Ramthun	Jonathan Wichmann	Other	Undecided
Trafalgar Group (R)[68]	Aug 6–8, 2022	1,092 (LV)	± 2.9%	–	43%	44%	3%	8%	–	3%[b]	–
Emerson College[69]	Aug 3–5, 2022	900 (LV)	± 3.2%	–	36%	34%	6%	8%	–	2%[c]	14%
NMB Research (R)[70][B]	Jul 16–18, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	–	35%	43%	–	–	–	3%	19%
	Jul 5, 2022	Nicholson suspends his campaign
Marquette University[71]	Jun 14–20, 2022	359 (LV)	± 6.3%	–	26%	27%	10%	3%	–	2%[d]	32%
Public Policy Polling (D)[72][C]	May 9–10, 2022	675 (LV)	± 3.8%	–	26%	27%	9%	6%	–	3%	29%
Marquette University[73]	Apr 19–24, 2022	413 (LV)	± 5.6%	–	32%	–	10%	4%	–	3%	47%
Remington Research Group (R)[74][D]	Mar 31 – Apr 2, 2022	1,207 (LV)	± 2.9%	4%	42%	–	29%	–	–	–	26%
Marquette University[75]	Feb 22–27, 2022	353 (LV)	± 5.8%	–	30%	–	8%	5%	–	1%	56%
WPA Intelligence (R)[76]	Jan 18, 2022	– (LV)	–	3%	59%	–	8%	–	–	–	–
The Tarrance Group (R)[77][E]	Jan 10–13, 2022	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	–	65%	–	12%	–	–	–	23%
				–	61%	–	8%	–	5%	2%	24%

Results

Results by county:

  Michels

•   30-40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%

  Kleefisch

•   40–50%
•   50–60%

Republican primary results^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tim Michels	326,969	47.18%
	Republican	Rebecca Kleefisch	291,384	42.05%
	Republican	Timothy Ramthun	41,639	6.01%
	Republican	Kevin Nicholson (withdrawn)	24,884	3.59%
	Republican	Adam Fischer	8,139	1.17%
Total votes			693,015	100.0%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Nominee

• Roger Roth, state senator from the 19th district (2015–2023)^[78]

Eliminated in primary

• David D. King, businessman and perennial candidate^[79]
• Will Martin, former Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development official^[80]
• Patrick Testin, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present)^[81]
• David Varnam, mayor of Lancaster (2016–present)^[79]
• Cindy Werner, businesswoman and candidate for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district in 2018 and 2020^[79]
• Jonathan Wichmann, businessman^[29]
• Kyle Yudes, activist^[82]

Withdrawn

• Ben Voelkel, former aide to U.S. senator Ron Johnson^[83][84]

Endorsements

Will Martin

Local officials

• David DeGroot, Mount Pleasant board of trustees president^[85]
• Jonathan Delegrave, Racine County executive^[85]
• Patricia Hansen, Racine County district attorney^[85]
• Don Houston, Waterford board of trustees president^[85]
• Jean Jacobson, former Racine County executive^[85]
• Thomas Kramer, Racine County board vice chair^[85]
• Claude Lois, former Burlington mayor^[85]
• William McReynolds, former Racine County sheriff^[85]
• Thomas Roanhouse, Racine County board chair^[85]
• Christopher Schmaling, Racine County sheriff^[85]
• Steve Wicklund, Union Grove board of trustees president^[85]

Patrick Testin

State senators

• Kathy Bernier, state senator from the 23rd district (2019–2023)^[86]
• Julian Bradley, state senator from the 28th district (2021–)^[86]
• Alberta Darling, state senator from the 8th district (1993–2023)^[86]
• Dan Feyen, state senator from the 18th district (2017–)^[86]
• Sheila Harsdorf, former state senator from the 10th district (2001–2017)^[86]
• John Jagler, state senator from the 13th district (2021–)^[86]
• Dan Kapanke, former state senator from the 32nd district (2005–2011)^[86]
• Stephen Nass, state senator from the 11th district (2015–)^[86]
• Luther Olsen, former state senator from the 14th district (2005–2021)^[86]
• Van Wanggaard, state senator from the 21st district (2015–)^[86]

State assemblymembers

• David Armstrong, state assemblyman from the 75th district^[86]
• Calvin Callahan, state assemblyman from the 35h district (2021–)^[86]
• Alex Dallman, state assemblyman from the 41st district (2021–)^[86]
• Barbara Dittrich, state assemblyman from the 38th district (2019–)^[86]
• James W. Edming, state assemblyman from the 87th district (2015–2025)^[86]
• Mike Huebsch, state assemblyman from the 94th district^[86]
• Jesse James, state assemblyman from the 68th district^[86]
• Joel Kitchens, state assemblyman from the 1st district (2015–)^[86]
• Scott Krug, state assemblyman from the 72nd district (2011–)^[86]
• Mike Kuglitsch, state assemblyman from the 84th district (2011–2022)^[86]
• Bob Kulp, former state assemblyman from the 69th district (2013–2021)^[86]
• Tony Kurtz, state assemblyman from the 50th district (2019–)^[86]
• John Macco, state assemblyman from the 88th district (2015–2025)^[86]
• Gae Magnafici, state assemblywoman from the 28th district (2019–2025)^[86]
• Jeffrey Mursau, state assemblyman from the 36th district (2005–)^[86]
• Todd Novak, state assemblyman from the 51st district (2015–)^[86]
• Loren Oldenburg, state assemblyman from the 96th district (2019–2025)^[86]
• Jon Plumer, state assemblyman from the 42nd district (2018–2025)^[86]
• Jessie Rodriguez, state assemblywoman from the 21st district (2013–)^[86]
• Joe Sanfelippo, state assemblyman from the 15th district (2013–2023)^[86]
• Ken Skowronski, state assemblyman from the 82nd district (2014–2023)^[86]
• Patrick Snyder, state assemblyman from the 85th district (2017–)^[86]
• John Spiros, state assemblyman from the 86th district (2013–)^[86]
• Jim Steineke, majority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[86]
• Rob Swearingen, state assemblyman from the 34th district (2013–)^[86]
• Gary Tauchen, state assemblyman from the 6th district (2007–2023)^[86]
• Paul Tittl, state assemblyman from the 25th district (2013–)^[86]
• Ron Tusler, state assemblyman from the 3rd district (2017–)^[86]
• Robert Wittke, state assemblyman from the 62nd district (2019–)^[86]

Organizations

• Wisconsin Right to Life (co-endorsed with Varnam)^[87]
• Wisconsin Young Republicans^[61]

David Varnam

Organizations

• Wisconsin Family Action PAC^[88]
• Wisconsin Right to Life (co-endorsed with Testin)^[87]

Jonathan Wichmann

Federal officials

• Michael Flynn, former United States National Security Advisor (2017), former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (2012–2014) (Democrat)^[89]

Organizations

• Stand for Health Freedom^[90]

Declined to endorse

Organizations

• Republican Party of Wisconsin^[67]

Results

Results by county:

  Roth

•   10-20%
•   20-30%
•   30-40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%

  Testin

•   10–20%
•   20–30%
•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Werner

•   20–30%

  Wichmann

•   10–20%

  Yudes

•   20–30%

  Varnam

•   10–20%
•   40–50%

Lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary results^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Roger Roth	178,972	30.16%
	Republican	Patrick Testin	109,374	18.43%
	Republican	Cindy Werner	80,953	13.64%
	Republican	Jonathan Wichmann	79,166	13.34%
	Republican	Will Martin	54,790	9.23%
	Republican	Kyle Yudes	32,051	5.40%
	Republican	David C. Varnam	30,640	5.16%
	Republican	David D. King	27,443	4.63%
Total votes			593,389	100.0%

Independents

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Joan Ellis Beglinger, retired nurse and hospital administrator^[91] (remained on ballot; endorsed Michels)^[92]
  • Running mate: N/A^[e]
• Jess Hisel, engineer and Air Force veteran^[93]
  • Running mate: N/A^[f]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[94]	Tossup	June 8, 2022
Inside Elections[95]	Tossup	March 4, 2022
Sabato's Crystal Ball[96]	Lean R (flip)	November 7, 2022
Politico[97]	Tossup	April 1, 2022
RCP[98]	Tossup	June 1, 2022
Fox News[99]	Tossup	May 12, 2022
538[100]	Tossup	October 7, 2022
Elections Daily[101]	Lean R (flip)	November 7, 2022

Post-primary endorsements

Tony Evers (D)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Joe Biden, 46th president of the United States (2021–2025)^[102]
• Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States (2009–2017)^[103]

U.S. senators^[104]

• Tammy Baldwin, U.S. senator from Wisconsin (2013–present)^[105]
• Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2013–present)^[105]

U.S. representatives

• Ron Kind, former U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district (1997–2023)^[106]
• Gwen Moore, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district (2005–present)^[107]
• Mark Pocan, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district (2013–present)^[108]

Statewide officials

• Josh Kaul, Attorney General of Wisconsin (2019–present)^[109]
• J. B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois (2019–present)^[110]

State legislators^[109]

• Melissa Agard, state senator for the 16th district (2021–2025)^[111]
• Jill Billings, state assembly member for the 95th district (2011–present)^[112]
• Jodi Emerson, state assembly member for the 91st district (2019–present)
• Dave Hansen, state senator for the 30th district (2001–2021)^[113]
• Gary Hebl, state assembly member for the 46th district (2005–2023)^[111]
• Brad Pfaff, state senator for the 32nd district (2021–present)
• Jeff Smith, state senator for the 31st district (2019–present)

Local officials

• Paul Esser, Mayor of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin^[111]
• Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee (2021–present)^[107]

Organizations

• End Citizens United^[114]
• Everytown for Gun Safety^[115]
• Fair Wisconsin^[116]
• Feminist Majority PAC^[115]
• League of Conservation Voters – Wisconsin^[115]
• Let America Vote^[114]
• MoveOn^[115]
• Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin^[117]
• Working Families Party^[115]

Labor unions

• Communications Workers of America^[115]
• National Education Association – Wisconsin^[115]

Newspapers

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel^[118]
• Shepherd Express^[119]
• Wisconsin State Journal^[120]

Tim Michels (R)

U.S. senators

• Ron Johnson, U.S. senator from Wisconsin (2011–present)^[121]

U.S. representatives

• Bryan Steil, U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district (2019–present)^[122]

Statewide officials

• Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (2019–present)^[123]
• Michael Gableman, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (2008–2018)^[124]
• Rebecca Kleefisch, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019)^[125]
• Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019)^[126]
• Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia (2022–present)^[127]

State legislators

• Don Pridemore, state assemblymember for the 22nd district (2011–2015) and the 99th district (2005–2011)^[128]

Individuals

• Joan Ellis Beglinger, retired nurse, hospital administrator, and former Independent candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in 2022^[92]
• Diane Hendricks, businesswoman^[129]

Organizations

• Club for Growth^[130]
• Dairy Business Association^[131]
• Milwaukee Police Association^[132]
• National Federation of Independent Business – Wisconsin^[133]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[134][135]
• Tavern League of Wisconsin^[136]
• Wisconsin Farm Bureau^[137]
• Wisconsin Troopers Association^[138]

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll aggregation	Dates administered	Dates updated	Tony Evers (D)	Tim Michels (R)	Joan Ellis Beglinger (I)	Undecided [g]	Margin
RealClearPolitics[139]	September 20 – November 1, 2022	November 1, 2022	48.2%	48.4%	–	3.4%	Michels +0.2
FiveThirtyEight[140]	August 15 – November 2, 2022	November 2, 2022	47.5%	48.9%	2.2%	1.4%	Michels +1.4
Average			47.9%	48.7%	–	3.4%	Michels +0.8

Graphical summary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Tim Michels (R)	Joan Ellis Beglinger (I)	Other	Undecided
Civiqs[141]	November 4–7, 2022	739 (LV)	± 3.7%	51%	48%	–	1%[h]	1%
Research Co.[142]	November 4–6, 2022	450 (LV)	± 4.6%	48%	48%	–	–	4%
Data for Progress (D)[143]	November 2–5, 2022	1,504 (LV)	± 2.0%	48%	50%	2%	–	–
The Trafalgar Group (R)[144]	November 2–4, 2022	1,095 (LV)	± 2.9%	48%	50%	1%	–	2%
Marquette University[145]	October 24 – November 1, 2022	802 (RV)	± 4.6%	44%	45%	5%	3%[i]	3%
		679 (LV)	± 4.8%	48%	48%	2%	–	1%
Siena College[146]	October 27–31, 2022	655 (LV)	± 4.8%	47%	45%	–	2%[j]	6%
Fox News[147]	October 26–30, 2022	1,000 (RV)	± 3.0%	46%	47%	–	3%[k]	4%
Wick Insights[148]	October 26–30, 2022	1,089 (LV)	± 3.2%	47%	48%	–	2%[l]	4%
Emerson College[149]	October 27–29, 2022	1,000 (LV)	± 3.0%	47%	48%	2%	<1%[m]	3%
				48%	49%	2%	1%[n]	–
Patriot Polling[150]	October 20–23, 2022	801 (LV)	–	46%	50%	–	4%
Data for Progress (D)[151]	October 14–22, 2022	1,376 (LV)	± 3.0%	48%	49%	1%	–	2%
CNN/SSRS[152]	October 13–17, 2022	905 (RV)	± 4.2%	50%	46%	–	4%[o]	–
		714 (LV)	± 4.5%	50%	48%	–	1%[p]	–
Marquette University[153]	October 3–9, 2022	801 (RV)	± 4.3%	46%	41%	7%	2%[q]	3%
		652 (LV)	± 4.8%	47%	46%	4%	2%[q]	1%
YouGov/CBS News[154]	October 3–7, 2022	1,138 (RV)	± 3.7%	50%	50%	–	0%	0%
Public Policy Polling (D)[155]	September 26–27, 2022	574 (V)	–	48%	46%	–	–	5%
Fox News[156]	September 22–26, 2022	1,012 (RV)	± 3.0%	47%	47%	–	2%[r]	4%
Fabrazio Ward (R)/Impact Research (D)[157]	September 18–25, 2022	1399 (LV)	± 4.4%	47%	50%	–	–	3%
Data for Progress (D)[158]	September 20–23, 2022	999 (LV)	± 3.0%	47%	48%	2%	–	3%
The Trafalgar Group (R)[159]	September 15–19, 2022	1087 (LV)	± 2.9%	47%	48%	–	2%	3%
Emerson College[160]	September 16–18, 2022	860 (LV)	± 3.27%	45%	43%	4%	1%	7%
Big Data Poll (R)[161]	September 17–18, 2022	852 (LV)	± 3.4%	42%	42%			14%
Siena College[162]	September 14–15, 2022	651 (LV)	± 4.5%	49%	44%	–	2%[s]	5%
Civiqs[163]	September 10–13, 2022	780 (LV)	± 3.7%	49%	48%	–	2%	3%
Marquette University[164]	September 6–11, 2022	801 (RV)	± 4.3%	44%	43%	8%	1%	4%
		632 (LV)	± 4.9%	47%	44%	5%	0%	3%
	September 4, 2022	Beglinger withdraws from the race
The Trafalgar Group (R)[165]	August 22–25, 2022	1,091 (LV)	± 2.9%	48%	48%	–	2%	3%
OnMessage Inc. (R)[166][F]	August 22–24, 2022	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	48%	48%	–	–	4%
Fox News[167]	August 12–16, 2022	1,006 (RV)	± 3.0%	49%	46%	–	1%	3%
Marquette University[168]	August 10–15, 2022	811 (RV)	± 4.2%	45%	43%	7%	0%	5%
		713 (LV)	± 4.5%	46%	44%	5%	0%	5%
Marquette University[169]	June 14–20, 2022	803 (RV)	± 4.3%	48%	41%	–	2%	9%

Hypothetical polling

Tony Evers vs. Rebecca Kleefisch

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Rebecca Kleefisch (R)	Other	Undecided
Marquette University[169]	June 14–20, 2022	803 (RV)	± 4.3%	47%	43%	1%	8%
Redfield & Wilton Strategies[170]	August 20–24, 2021	730 (RV)	± 3.6%	39%	38%	3%	14%
		718 (LV)	± 3.7%	41%	41%	3%	12%
Change Research (D)[171][G]	March 25–27, 2021	1,723 (LV)	± 2.6%	48%	43%	–	–

Tony Evers vs. Tim Ramthun

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Tim Ramthun (R)	Other	Undecided
Marquette University[169]	June 14–20, 2022	803 (RV)	± 4.3%	51%	34%	2%	12%

Tony Evers vs. Kevin Nicholson

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Kevin Nicholson (R)	Other	Undecided
Marquette University[169]	June 14–20, 2022	803 (RV)	± 4.3%	48%	40%	1%	9%

Tony Evers vs. Jonathan Wichmann

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Jonathan Wichmann (R)	Other	Undecided
Redfield & Wilton Strategies[170]	August 20–24, 2021	730 (RV)	± 3.6%	41%	34%	5%	14%
		718 (LV)	± 3.7%	43%	36%	4%	12%

Tony Evers vs. generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Tony Evers (D)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Cygnal (R)[172]	July 6–8, 2021	640 (LV)	± 3.9%	47%	48%	6%
Public Policy Polling (D)[173][A]	February 8–9, 2021	937 (V)	± 3.2%	45%	44%	11%

Debates

2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial general election debates

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Democratic	Republican
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					Tony Evers	Tim Michels
1	Oct. 14, 2022	WBAY-TV	Jill Geisler	[174]	P	P

Results

Swing by county

Legend

•   Democratic — +>15%
•   Democratic — +12.5-15%
•   Democratic — +10-12.5%
•   Democratic — +7.5-10%
•   Democratic — +5-7.5%
•   Democratic — +2.5-5%
•   Democratic — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +2.5-5%
•   Republican — +5-7.5%
•   Republican — +7.5-10%
•   Republican — +10-12.5%

Trend by county

Legend

•   Democratic — +>15%
•   Democratic — +12.5-15%
•   Democratic — +10-12.5%
•   Democratic — +7.5-10%
•   Democratic — +5-7.5%
•   Democratic — +2.5-5%
•   Democratic — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +2.5-5%
•   Republican — +5-7.5%
•   Republican — +7.5-10%
•   Republican — +10-12.5%

Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2022^[175][176]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tony Evers (incumbent) Sara Rodriguez	1,358,774	51.15%	+1.61%
	Republican	Tim Michels Roger Roth	1,268,535	47.75%	−0.69%
	Independent	Joan Ellis Beglinger (withdrawn) N/A	27,198	1.02%	N/A
	Write-in		1,983	0.08%	+0.04%
Total votes			2,656,490	100.0%	-0.63%
Turnout			2,668,891	56.7%
Registered electors			3,760,845
	Democratic hold

By county

By county

Evers Democratic Michels Republican Others Margin County Total County # % # % # % # % # Adams 3,860 38.96% 5,856 59.10% 192 1.94% 1,996 20.15% 9,908 Ashland 4,034 57.51% 2,905 41.41% 76 1.08% 1,129 16.09% 7,015 Barron 7,552 37.51% 12,246 60.83% 335 1.66% 4,694 23.31% 20,133 Bayfield 5,367 57.77% 3,843 41.36% 81 0.87% 1,524 16.40% 9,291 Brown 53,887 47.18% 58,986 51.65% 1,332 1.17% 5,099 4.46% 114,205 Buffalo 2,391 38.95% 3,638 59.27% 109 1.78% 1,247 20.32% 6,138 Burnett 2,964 36.40% 5,061 62.16% 117 1.44% 2,097 25.76% 8,142 Calumet 9,935 39.70% 14,828 59.25% 262 1.05% 4,893 19.55% 25,025 Chippewa 11,994 41.07% 16,792 57.50% 415 1.42% 4,798 16.43% 29,201 Clark 3,797 32.48% 7,690 65.77% 205 1.75% 3,893 33.30% 11,692 Columbia 14,168 51.57% 13,008 47.34% 300 1.09% 1,160 4.22% 27,476 Crawford 3,429 48.94% 3,486 49.76% 91 1.30% 57 0.81% 7,006 Dane 236,577 78.59% 62,300 20.70% 2,156 0.72% 174,277 57.89% 301,033 Dodge 13,240 33.88% 25,428 65.06% 414 1.06% 12,188 31.19% 39,082 Door 8,984 51.92% 8,145 47.07% 176 1.02% 839 4.85% 17,305 Douglas 10,606 56.90% 7,823 41.97% 210 1.13% 2,783 14.93% 18,639 Dunn 8,299 45.02% 9,899 53.70% 237 1.29% 1,600 8.68% 18,435 Eau Claire 28,063 57.91% 19,856 40.97% 542 1.12% 8,207 16.94% 48,461 Florence 655 26.02% 1,838 73.02% 24 0.95% 1,183 47.00% 2,517 Fond du Lac 16,598 35.53% 29,642 63.45% 478 1.02% 13,044 27.92% 46,718 Forest 1,452 34.65% 2,670 63.72% 68 1.62% 1,218 29.07% 4,190 Grant 9,234 45.95% 10,594 52.72% 266 1.32% 1,360 6.77% 20,094 Green 9,603 54.77% 7,681 43.81% 248 1.41% 1,922 10.96% 17,532 Green Lake 2,746 31.51% 5,864 67.29% 104 1.19% 3,118 35.78% 8,714 Iowa 6,837 58.55% 4,717 40.39% 124 1.06% 2,120 18.15% 11,678 Iron 1,259 38.62% 1,964 60.25% 37 1.13% 705 21.63% 3,260 Jackson 3,505 43.82% 4,375 54.69% 119 1.49% 870 10.88% 7,999 Jefferson 16,765 43.28% 21,488 55.48% 479 1.24% 4,723 12.19% 38,732 Juneau 4,048 37.70% 6,516 60.68% 174 1.62% 2,468 22.98% 10,738 Kenosha 32,176 48.70% 33,068 50.05% 829 1.25% 892 1.35% 66,073 Kewaunee 3,529 35.67% 6,229 62.96% 135 1.36% 2,700 27.29% 9,893 La Crosse 32,119 58.22% 22,325 40.47% 725 1.31% 9,794 17.75% 55,169 Lafayette 3,005 45.75% 3,498 53.25% 66 1.00% 493 7.50% 6,569 Langlade 2,958 32.74% 5,966 66.03% 111 1.23% 3,008 33.29% 9,035 Lincoln 5,226 38.56% 8,084 59.65% 242 1.79% 2,858 21.09% 13,552 Manitowoc 13,937 38.67% 21,573 59.86% 528 1.47% 7,636 21.19% 36,038 Marathon 25,163 40.74% 35,860 58.05% 747 1.21% 10,697 17.32% 61,770 Marinette 6,110 32.95% 12,164 65.61% 267 1.44% 6,054 32.65% 18,541 Marquette 2,697 36.75% 4,549 61.99% 92 1.25% 1,852 25.24% 7,338 Menominee 979 78.63% 254 20.40% 12 0.96% 725 58.23% 1,245 Milwaukee 246,073 70.94% 97,471 28.10% 3,345 0.96% 148,602 42.84% 346,889 Monroe 6,931 39.97% 10,153 58.55% 257 1.48% 3,222 18.58% 17,341 Oconto 5,910 30.25% 13,363 68.40% 264 1.35% 7,453 38.15% 19,537 Oneida 8,667 42.84% 11,297 55.84% 266 1.31% 2,630 13.00% 20,230 Outagamie 39,572 45.96% 45,601 52.96% 929 1.08% 6,029 7.00% 86,102 Ozaukee 23,104 44.12% 28,827 55.05% 436 0.83% 5,723 10.93% 52,367 Pepin 1,280 38.66% 1,990 60.10% 41 1.24% 710 21.44% 3,311 Pierce 7,967 44.19% 9,779 54.24% 283 1.57% 1,812 10.05% 18,029 Polk 7,587 37.11% 12,548 61.37% 310 1.52% 4,961 24.27% 20,445 Portage 17,947 53.29% 15,361 45.61% 373 1.11% 2,586 7.68% 33,681 Price 2,596 36.76% 4,369 61.87% 97 1.37% 1,773 25.11% 7,062 Racine 38,241 46.91% 42,359 51.96% 928 1.14% 4,118 5.05% 81,528 Richland 3,354 47.86% 3,562 50.83% 92 1.31% 208 2.97% 7,008 Rock 37,755 57.84% 26,722 40.94% 799 1.22% 11,033 16.90% 65,276 Rusk 2,180 34.13% 4,120 64.51% 87 1.36% 1,940 30.37% 6,387 Sauk 15,285 52.78% 13,348 46.09% 327 1.13% 1,937 6.69% 28,960 Sawyer 3,734 43.59% 4,735 55.28% 97 1.13% 1,001 11.69% 8,566 Shawano 5,853 32.63% 11,875 66.20% 209 1.17% 6,022 33.57% 17,937 Sheboygan 22,325 41.60% 30,679 57.17% 657 1.22% 8,354 15.57% 53,661 St. Croix 18,516 42.04% 24,968 56.70% 555 1.26% 6,452 14.65% 44,039 Taylor 2,262 25.99% 6,296 72.35% 144 1.65% 4,034 46.36% 8,702 Trempealeau 5,281 43.11% 6,813 55.62% 155 1.27% 1,532 12.51% 12,249 Vernon 6,597 49.97% 6,409 48.55% 195 1.48% 188 1.42% 13,201 Vilas 5,088 38.49% 7,983 60.39% 149 1.13% 2,895 21.90% 13,220 Walworth 18,569 40.43% 26,700 58.14% 657 1.43% 8,131 17.70% 45,926 Washburn 3,198 38.29% 5,032 60.26% 121 1.45% 1,834 21.96% 8,351 Washington 22,698 30.66% 50,749 68.55% 582 0.79% 28,051 37.89% 74,029 Waukesha 88,564 39.43% 134,212 59.76% 1,827 0.81% 45,648 20.32% 224,603 Waupaca 7,990 34.40% 14,939 64.32% 298 1.28% 6,949 29.92% 23,227 Waushara 3,766 33.21% 7,459 65.78% 115 1.01% 3,693 32.57% 11,340 Winnebago 36,512 48.87% 37,242 49.85% 958 1.28% 730 0.98% 74,712 Wood 13,624 41.29% 18,865 57.18% 503 1.52% 5,241 15.89% 32,992 Totals 1,358,774 51.15% 1,268,535 47.75% 29,181 1.10% 90,239 3.40% 2,656,490 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Door (largest municipality: Sturgeon Bay) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Crawford (largest municipality: Prairie du Chien) Grant (largest municipality: Platteville) Kenosha (largest municipality: Kenosha) Richland (largest municipality: Richland Center)

By congressional district

Despite losing, Michels won five of eight congressional districts. Evers won three of eight congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.^[177]

District	Evers	Michels	Representative
1st	49.3%	49.5%	Bryan Steil
2nd	74%	26%	Mark Pocan
3rd	50%	49%	Ron Kind (117th Congress)
			Derrick Van Orden (118th Congress)
4th	77%	21%	Gwen Moore
5th	39%	61%	Scott L. Fitzgerald
6th	42%	57%	Glenn Grothman
7th	40%	58%	Tom Tiffany
8th	43%	56%	Mike Gallagher

See also

• 2022 United States gubernatorial elections
• 2022 Wisconsin elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. Fischer with 3%
3. Fischer and "Someone else" with 2%
4. "Someone else" with 2%; Fischer with 0%
5. Beglinger withdrew prior to announcing a running mate
6. Hisel withdrew prior to announcing a running mate
7. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
8. "Someone else" with 1%
9. "Refused" with 3%
10. "Another candidate" with 1%; "Not going to vote" with 1%
11. "Other" with 2%; "Wouldn't vote" with 1%
12. "Someone else" with 2%
13. "Someone else" with <1%
14. "Someone else" with 1%
15. "Neither" with 3%; "Other" with 1%
16. "Neither" with 1%
17. "Other" with 1%; "Refused" with 1%
18. "Wouldn't vote" with 1%;"Other" with 1%
19. "Another candidate" with 1%, "Not going to vote" with 1%

Partisan clients

1. This poll was sponsored by 314 Action Fund, which supports Rodriguez for lieutenant governor
2. This poll was sponsored by Sunrise in America Political Fund, which supports Michels
3. This poll was sponsored by Milwaukee Works, a local 501(c)(4)
4. This poll was sponsored by Fight for Wisconsin, which supports Nicholson
5. This poll was sponsored by Rebecca Kleefisch's campaign
6. This poll was sponsored by School Choice Wisconsin Action
7. This poll was sponsored by Tom Nelson's campaign