The 2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. Democratic incumbent Tony Evers won a second term, defeating Republican nominee Tim Michels, who had previously lost by more than 10% when he ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin in 2004.
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 an 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.
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)
Disqualified Job Edmond Hou-Seye, former alderman of Sheboygan (2015–2017)
Endorsements
Results
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Nominee Sara Rodriguez, state assemblywoman from the 13th district (2021–2023)
Eliminated in primary Peng Her, CEO of Hmong Institute
Withdrawn David Bowen, state assemblyman from the 10th district (2015–2023) 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)
Declined Mandela Barnes, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–2023) (ran for U.S. Senate)
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PengHer SaraRodriguez UndecidedChange Research (D)Change Research (D)July 1–7, 2022560 (LV)± 4.6%8%25%62%
Results
Republican primary Governor
Nominee Tim Michels, co-owner of the Michels Corporation and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004
Eliminated in primary Adam J. Fischer, former police officer and businessman Rebecca Kleefisch, former lieutenant governor (2011–2019) Timothy Ramthun, state representative for the 59th district
Disqualified James Kellen Leonard Larson Jr.
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) Jonathan Wichmann, businessman (ran for lieutenant governor)
Declined Sean Duffy, former U.S. representative for (2011–2019) 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) Mike Gallagher, U.S. representative for (2017–2024) (ran for re-election) Eric Hovde, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 Ron Johnson, U.S. senator (2011–present) (ran for re-election) Chris Kapenga, president of the Wisconsin Senate (2021–2025) and state senator from the 33rd district (2015–present) (ran for re-election) John Macco, state representative for the 88th district (2015–present) (ran for re-election; endorsed Kleefisch) Bill McCoshen, lobbyist 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) 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) Robin Vos, speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2013–present) and state representative for the 63rd district (2005–present) (ran for re-election) Scott Walker, former governor (2011–2019) (endorsed Kleefisch)
Endorsements
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error EricHovde RebeccaKleefisch TimMichels KevinNicholson TimRamthun JonathanWichmann Other UndecidedTrafalgar Group (R)Trafalgar Group (R)August 6–8, 20221,092 (LV)± 2.9%–43%44%3%8%–3%–Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeAugust 3–5, 2022900 (LV)± 3.2%–36%34%6%8%–2%14%NMB Research (R)July 16–18, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%–35%43%–––3%19% July 5, 2022 Nicholson suspends his campaignMarquette UniversityMarquette UniversityJune 14–20, 2022359 (LV)± 6.3%–26%27%10%3%–2%32%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D)May 9–10, 2022675 (LV)± 3.8%–26%27%9%6%–3%29%Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityApril 19–24, 2022413 (LV)± 5.6%–32%–10%4%–3%47%Remington Research Group (R)Remington Research Group (R)March 31 – April 2, 20221,207 (LV)± 2.9%4%42%–29%–––26%Marquette UniversityMarquette University February 22–27, 2022353 (LV)± 5.8%–30%–8%5%–1%56%WPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)January 18, 2022– (LV)–3%59%–8%––––The Tarrance Group (R)The Tarrance Group (R)January 10–13, 2022800 (LV)± 3.5%–65%–12%–––23%–61%–8%–5%2%24%
Results
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Nominee Roger Roth, state senator from the 19th district (2015–2023)
Eliminated in primary David D. King, businessman and perennial candidate Will Martin, former Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development official Patrick Testin, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present) David Varnam, mayor of Lancaster (2016–present) Cindy Werner, businesswoman and candidate for in 2018 and 2020 Jonathan Wichmann, businessman Kyle Yudes, activist
Withdrawn Ben Voelkel, former aide to U.S. senator Ron Johnson
Endorsements
Results
Independents
Candidates
Withdrawn Joan Ellis Beglinger, retired nurse and hospital administrator (remained on ballot; endorsed Michels) Running mate: N/A Jess Hisel, engineer and Air Force veteran Running mate: N/A
General election
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report June 8, 2022Inside Elections March 4, 2022 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 7, 2022PoliticoApril 1, 2022 RCPJune 1, 2022Fox News May 12, 2022538October 7, 2022Elections DailyNovember 7, 2022
Post-primary endorsements
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated TonyEvers (D) TimMichels (R) Joan EllisBeglinger (I) UndecidedMarginRealClearPoliticsRealClearPoliticsSeptember 20 – November 1, 2022November 1, 202248.2%48.4%–3.4%Michels +0.2FiveThirtyEightFiveThirtyEightAugust 15 – November 2, 2022November 2, 202247.5%48.9%2.2%1.4%Michels +1.4Average47.9%48.7%–3.4%Michels +0.8
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TonyEvers (D) TimMichels (R) Beglinger (I) Other UndecidedCiviqsCiviqsNovember 4–7, 2022739 (LV)± 3.7%51%48%–1%1%Research Co.Research Co.November 4–6, 2022450 (LV)± 4.6%48%48%––4%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)November 2–5, 20221,504 (LV)± 2.0%48%50%2%––The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)November 2–4, 20221,095 (LV)± 2.9%48%50%1%–2%Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityOctober 24 – November 1, 2022802 (RV)± 4.6%44%45%5%3%3%679 (LV)± 4.8%48%48%2%–1%Siena CollegeSiena CollegeOctober 27–31, 2022655 (LV)± 4.8%47%45%–2%6%Fox NewsFox NewsOctober 26–30, 20221,000 (RV)± 3.0%46%47%–3%4%Wick InsightsWick InsightsOctober 26–30, 20221,089 (LV)± 3.2%47%48%–2%4%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeOctober 27–29, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%47%48%2%<1%3%48%49%2%1%–Patriot PollingPatriot PollingOctober 20–23, 2022801 (LV)–46%50%–4%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)October 14–22, 20221,376 (LV)± 3.0%48%49%1%–2%CNN/SSRSCNN/SSRSOctober 13–17, 2022905 (RV)± 4.2%50%46%–4%–714 (LV)± 4.5%50%48%–1%–Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityOctober 3–9, 2022801 (RV)± 4.3%46%41%7%2%3%652 (LV)± 4.8%47%46%4%2%1%YouGov/CBS NewsYouGov/CBS NewsOctober 3–7, 20221,138 (RV)± 3.7%50%50%–0%0%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D)September 26–27, 2022574 (V)–48%46%––5%Fox NewsFox NewsSeptember 22–26, 20221,012 (RV)± 3.0%47%47%–2%4%Fabrazio Ward (R)/Impact Research (D)Fabrazio Ward (R)/Impact Research (D)September 18–25, 20221399 (LV)± 4.4%47%50%––3%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)September 20–23, 2022999 (LV)± 3.0%47%48%2%–3%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)September 15–19, 20221087 (LV)± 2.9%47%48%–2%3%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeSeptember 16–18, 2022860 (LV)± 3.27%45%43%4%1%7%Big Data Poll (R)Big Data Poll (R)September 17–18, 2022852 (LV)± 3.4%42%42%14%Siena CollegeSiena CollegeSeptember 14–15, 2022651 (LV)± 4.5%49%44%–2%5%CiviqsCiviqsSeptember 10–13, 2022780 (LV)± 3.7%49%48%–2%3%Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversitySeptember 6–11, 2022801 (RV)± 4.3%44%43%8%1%4%632 (LV)± 4.9%47%44%5%0%3% September 4, 2022 Beglinger withdraws from the raceThe Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)August 22–25, 20221,091 (LV)± 2.9%48%48%–2%3%OnMessage Inc. (R)OnMessage Inc. (R)August 22–24, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%48%48%––4%Fox NewsFox NewsAugust 12–16, 20221,006 (RV)± 3.0%49%46%–1%3%Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityAugust 10–15, 2022811 (RV)± 4.2%45%43%7%0%5%713 (LV)± 4.5%46%44%5%0%5%Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityJune 14–20, 2022803 (RV)± 4.3%48%41%–2%9%
Tony Evers vs. Rebecca Kleefisch
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TonyEvers (D) RebeccaKleefisch (R) Other UndecidedMarquette UniversityJune 14–20, 2022803 (RV)± 4.3%47%43%1%8%Redfield & Wilton StrategiesRedfield & Wilton StrategiesAugust 20–24, 2021730 (RV)± 3.6%39%38%3%14%718 (LV)± 3.7%41%41%3%12%Change Research (D)Change Research (D)March 25–27, 20211,723 (LV)± 2.6%48%43%–– Tony Evers vs. Tim Ramthun Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TonyEvers (D) TimRamthun (R) Other UndecidedMarquette UniversityJune 14–20, 2022803 (RV)± 4.3%51%34%2%12% Tony Evers vs. Kevin Nicholson Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TonyEvers (D) KevinNicholson (R) Other UndecidedMarquette UniversityJune 14–20, 2022803 (RV)± 4.3%48%40%1%9% Tony Evers vs. Jonathan Wichmann Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TonyEvers (D) JonathanWichmann (R) Other UndecidedRedfield & Wilton StrategiesAugust 20–24, 2021730 (RV)± 3.6%41%34%5%14%718 (LV)± 3.7%43%36%4%12%
Tony Evers vs. generic Republican