The 2022 midterm elections are shaping up to be pivotal in deciding the future of politics in Wisconsin. With a couple key victories, Republicans could assume full control of the state government for the next few years. At the same time, Democrats are trying to maintain their seat at the negotiating table through the key reelection of incumbent Gov. Tony Evers.
Gov. Evers is not being challenged by anyone from within his party for the nomination. In the highly unlikely case that a Democrat did choose to run for the nomination, Evers’ campaign, which will likely center around his positively viewed handling of the pandemic and Wisconsin’s historic low unemployment rate, will be a hard one to beat.
There is strong competition in the bid for the Republican Governor nomination. The gubernatorial race is the key for Republicans to gain control of the state government, and it is therefore a highly anticipated race within the party to decide who will be best suited to run against Evers.
One of the frontrunners in the Republican party is Rebecca Kleefisch, who was Lieutenant Governor for eight years under former Gov. Scott Walker who lost to Evers back in 2018. Some wonder whether or not Walker’s loss will loom over Kleefisch’s electoral chances. Kleefisch has, however, received a few endorsements, most notably from Republican Assembly leader Robin Vos.
Very recently Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson joined the Republican primary with a bang, blaming the Republican “machine” for losing the last 11 out of 12 statewide general elections.
"We can’t take Wisconsin to new heights if we elect a governor from the same, tired political class that lacks the vision, ability and will to fight for the future of our state,” said Nicholson in a statement.
Vos had previously asked Nicholson to stay out of the race, hoping to avoid the image of messy party politics.
"I think Rebecca Kleefisch is the best situated," Vos said. "She has worked the hardest. She’s been doing this for over a year.”
Although starting the race from behind, Nicholson is backed by Richard Uihlein, of major Illinois shipping-supply and packing company Uline. Uihlein announced in an earlier statement that “If [Nicholson] decides to run for Governor, he will have my full support and commitment to win the primary and general elections.”
The major financial backing is likely to lead to an expensive primary and general election in the gubernatorial race.
Two less-known Republicans are also running for the nomination — former police officer Adam Fischer and marketing consultant Jonathan Wichmann. Wichmann has already secured the endorsedof former National Security Advisor to Trump Gen. Michael Flynn.
Sean Duffy, former U.S. Representative from the 8th Congressional District in Wisconsin, who many expected to run after he was encouraged by former President Trump is not showing any intention of running at this time.
Early polling between only Kleefisch and Evers showed them neck in neck, which could indicate another tight fought election similar to 2018 when Evers beat former Gov. Scott Walker by only one percentage point.
There are two seats in Washington D.C. that have opened up or are up for reelection; Wisconsin’s 3rd district’s seat is open following the retirement of Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Kind. Democrats will be fighting to flip a U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Sen. Ron Johnson, who just recently announced he will be seeking reelection.
"I believe America is in peril," wrote Johnson in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal. "Much as I'd like to ease into a quiet retirement, I don't feel I should.”
Sen. Johnson is withdrawing from his 2016 campaign promise not to run for reelection. As far back as early last year, former President Trump promised his “total endorsement” of Johnson.
Main criticisms of Johnson surround his handling of the pandemic, and only 36% of Wisconsin voters approve of Johnson’s job performance. As the incumbent — coupled with the tendency of midterm elections to favor the candidate from the party that is not in the White House — Johnson remains a competitive candidate for the Senate.
Despite a couple of other names being floated around the Republican party, Johnson remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for the Senate. Democrats on the other hand will have a wide variety of options in the Democratic primary.
At the forefront of all those candidates is Wisconsin Lieutenant Gov. Mandela Barnes. At this time, his main competitor within his own party is State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. There are at least 10 other prominent Democrats running for the nomination, but with the primary election about a half year away, it is too soon to name other strong candidates.
Wisconsin’s 3rd District is drawing eyes across the nation as Republicans attempt to swing the majority in the House of Representatives. Following the retirement of Democratic incumbent Ron Kind, a few Democrats have put their name forward to run for the nomination, including Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) and former appointee to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation board of directors Rebecca Cooke, amongst others.
The only Republican to announce their candidacy for the seat as of yet is Derrick Van Orden, who previously failed to unseat incumbent Ron Kind in 2020.
The 2022 Fall Partisan Primary will be held on Aug. 9, 2022, and the 2022 Fall Election will be held on Nov. 8, 2022. You can register to vote right now, online, at www.myvote.wi.gov/en-us/, by mail, or alternatively in person by contacting your local election office.
Ian Wilder is a senior staff writer and current men’s hockey beat reporter for The Daily Cardinal. He’s a former state politics and features reporter. Follow him on Twitter at @IanWWilder.
