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Wisconsin Secretary of State Election Lacks Incumbent for First Time in 40 Years
Confirmed
In Short: The 2026 primary for Wisconsin's governor lacks an incumbent on the ballot for the first time in four decades.
Wisconsin's 2026 primary for governor is notable for the absence of an incumbent on the ballot, marking the first time in 40 years that no incumbent is running.
The general election referendums would limit the governor's use of the partial veto to raise taxes and fees, prevent the government from stopping religious gatherings during emergencies, and ban discrimination by state and local governments and public education institutions.
In Wisconsin, concerns about data centers have become a central theme in statewide elections, with Build American AI focusing its ads on Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges against 16 people in multiple states for election crimes, including noncitizens casting ballots and false claims of citizenship.
Katya Rodriguez, an illegal alien from Mexico living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was arrested for illegally voting in the 2024 election after falsely certifying her citizenship status.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Executive Associate Director John A. noted, 'HSI is committed to safeguarding the integrity of our nation’s election systems and ensuring that allegations of unlawful voting, fraudulent registration, and other election-related crimes are thoroughly investigated.
The Trump administration's federal enforcement action includes a coordinated 'voter fraud surge' into nine key states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, to hunt down non-citizens suspected of election interference.
What this adds
The absence of an incumbent on the ballot for Wisconsin's governor is unprecedented in recent history.
The Trump administration's enforcement efforts are highly publicized and target election-related crimes ahead of the 2026 midterms.
What's confirmed
- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News a broader investigation is underway.
- The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against 16 people across several states as part of investigations into alleged illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration and other election-related offenses.
- According to the Justice Department, the charges include “unlawful voting by non-citizens in federal elections” and “false claims of citizenship to register or vote.” The department said the investigations also uncovered allegations involving wire fraud, naturalization fraud, passport fraud and unlawful firearm purchases.
What's still developing
- Tom Tiffany on the 2026 primary for governor of Wisconsin Tom Tiffany on issues in Wisconsin's 2026 governor's race David Crowley on the 2026 primary for governor of Wisconsin David Crowley on the 2026 election for governor of Wisconsin PBS Wisconsin Vilas Communications Hall 821 University Ave.
- "Wisconsin's going to get $200 million dollars in their Medicaid program as a result of that," he argues.
- State Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Hortonville, who led the ballot question on prohibiting government discrimination, said he sees a distinction between the types of issues addressed through legislation, which could reach the governor’s desk, and “fundamental” questions brought in a constitutional amendment.
- Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, who led the ballot question through the legislative process, said voter approval will reset the separation of powers between the Legislature, the executive branch and the courts.
- Tony Evers, Republicans have often turned to constitutional amendments as a way to advance their priorities without confronting the governor’s veto pen.
- Murphy, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2012, is not running for reelection this year.
- Under the new map Florida Republicans enacted this spring, Donald Trump would have carried the 14th District by 11 points in 2024, according to calculations by Inside Elections.
- The paid canvassing efforts by the League of Conservation Voters and NRDC Action Fund, shared first with CQ Roll Call, take advantage of a 2024 advisory from the Federal Election Commission that allows outside groups to coordinate with campaigns on canvassing activities.
- Mike Beltran is rated Tilt Republican, while Bennett’s race in the Garden State against Republican incumbent Thomas H.
- LTF has become such a well-known, and not particularly beloved, force in AI-related election politics that OpenAI publicly distanced itself from it in a blog post in June.
- By the outlet’s calculations, their venture firm, Andreessen Horowitz, is the biggest donor so far to the midterm elections, spending more than high-profile donors like Elon Musk and George Soros.
- In addition to these charges, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stepped up to a White House lectern on Tuesday and announced charges against 11 individuals for illegally voting or fraudulently registering in the 2022 and 2024 elections.