LoginDid more Democrats run for Wisconsin governor in 2018 than in 2026?
Wisconsin Watch partners withΒ GigafactΒ to produce Fact Briefs β bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Yes.
If the 2026 Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor seems large, 2018 certainly had it beat.
That year, 10 names were on the Democratic primary ballot, plus an 11th write-in candidate, according to results of the 2018 partisan primary kept by the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Two Republican candidates and two additional write-ins appeared on the 2018 GOP primary ballot.Β
The Aug. 11, 2026, primary ballot includes seven Democrats and two Republicans.
In both years, a few candidates dropped out of the race, but their names remained on the ballot due to approval deadlines.Β
As of July 14, that includes Democrats Missy Highes and David Crowley. So, only five of the Democrats on the Aug. 11 ballot are still campaigning.
In 2018, two higher-profile candidates had also dropped out by late June: Andy Gronik and Dana Wachs, though both appeared on the ballot.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Wisconsin Elections Commission: 2018 Fall Partisan Primary Results: Ward by Ward β Governor
- MyVote Wisconsin: Whatβs On My Ballot
- Wisconsin Elections Commission: Commission Meeting June 9, 2026 β Ballot Access
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrat Missy Hughes drops out of Wisconsin governor race
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley withdraws from governor's race
Did more Democrats run for Wisconsin governor in 2018 than in 2026? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
