Statewide Election Updates: Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General

First Democratic Candidate Enters Race for Lieutenant Governor

Wisconsin will hold elections for its statewide partisan offices in 2022, including for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. With Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes running for U.S. Senate, Democrats will hold a primary election to select Governor Tony Evers’ new running mate. State Senator Lena Taylor of Milwaukee announced her candidacy on October 4, making her the first to enter the race on the Democratic side.

Reportedly, other Democrats considering a run include Representative David Bowen, of Milwaukee; Representative Sara Rodriguez, of Brookfield; Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg; Brown Deer Village Trustee Emily Siegrist; Racine Alderman John Tate II; and Kriss Marion, of Blanchardville.

As we reported last month, four Wisconsin Republicans have announced that they will seek their party’s nomination for lieutenant governor: Senator Patrick Testin, of Stevens Point; Ben Voelkel, a former staffer to Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Ron Johnson; Lancaster Mayor David Varnam; and David King, of Milwaukee.

Ryan Owens Ends Campaign for Attorney General

One of two Republican contenders for Wisconsin attorney general has dropped out of the race, leaving Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney as the only person currently seeking his party’s nomination for the position. Ryan Owens, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, announced on October 4 that he was ending his campaign, citing the impact on his family of political attacks against him.

Incumbent Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, has announced that he will seek reelection in 2022.