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Wisconsin Secretary of State Race Lacks Incumbent for First Time in 40 Years
Developing
In Short: Incumbent Sarah Godlewski (D) is not running for re-election as Wisconsin's secretary of state, marking the first time in over 40 years that the incumbent has not sought the position.
Godlewski is instead running for lieutenant governor, a role she has not held before.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission, a bipartisan body, currently oversees elections in the state, a change made in 1974 when the state legislature removed the secretary of state's oversight of elections.
Godlewski previously served as a state senator representing District 8 from 2011 to 2021.
The shift in election oversight reflects Wisconsin's move to decentralize election administration, making it one of 13 states where the secretary of state does not oversee elections.
This election marks a significant change in Wisconsin's political landscape, as the secretary of state position has traditionally been held by an incumbent.
The lack of an incumbent running for re-election adds a new dynamic to the race, potentially influencing voter behavior and campaign strategies.
What this adds
The shift in election oversight and the lack of an incumbent running for re-election are new developments in Wisconsin's political landscape.
What's still developing
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- [Emphasis added] Mendez-Escobar has been deported from the United States three times.
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- According to the Wisconsin Examiner, this is the first time in more than 40 years that the incumbent is not running for re-election.
- She also represented District 8 in the Wisconsin Senate from 2011 to 2021.