What it means for Wisconsin that Josh Kaul isn’t running for governor

A potential frontrunner decides to seek a third term as attorney general instead, offering stability in the state’s fight against the Trump administration.

The decision by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to run for reelection is a major relief to the Democrats already in the race to succeed Gov. Tony Evers, but the move also offers potential stability in the state’s ongoing legal challenges to President Donald Trump if Kaul does win a third term.

“It’s critical that we continue to have an AG who will stand up for our freedoms and the rule of law,” Kaul said in a statement about his political future. “As my track record shows, I’m committed to working to protect public safety and to looking out for the interests of Wisconsinites.”

Kaul would have become an instant frontrunner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, having already won two statewide elections. More than a half-dozen candidates are already in the race.

Political journalist Dan Shafer of The Recombobulation Area and Civic Media sees the move as a boon for Wisconsin’s fight against executive overreach by the Trump administration.

“I think Kaul recognizes the need for a strong legal presence in the state at this time, when Trump is doing what Trump is doing at the national level,” Shafer said on our morning radio show. “It’s really important to have a strong Democratic attorney general, someone with the legal authority to push back and file lawsuits.”

As attorney general, Kaul  has joined nearly 40 multi-state lawsuits this year that challenge Trump and his administration over a wide variety of actions that include freezing education funding, attempting to put state elections under more federal control, blocking funding for Planned Parenthood’s non-abortion healthcare services, trying to access personal data about Wisconsin Medicaid recipients, and erasing state access to disaster relief funds for Wisconsin victims of storms and flash floods. Kaul also joined several lawsuits during Trump’s first term.

“Obviously he’s been very busy this year,” Shafer said. “So perhaps it makes sense to stay in that position and run for reelection. That makes for a cleaner race, as we have this big, weird primary for governor.”

With Kaul not running, political insiders have one obvious name left on their bingo card of potential candidates: former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. Civic Media show host Earl Ingram said on our radio show that he has had a conversation with Barnes and that it would not be a surprise if Barnes were to get in the race. And Barnes told WTMJ Radio he is strongly considering a run.

“I’ve been blown away by the number of people across the state who have reached out and asked me to run, and I will have more to say very soon,” said Barnes, who nearly unseated Republican US Sen. Ron Johnson in 2022.

Barnes, 38, would be among the youngest candidates in the race. Without Kaul, 44, the current Democratic field includes former WEDC Chair Missy Hughes, 57; stadium beer vendor Ryan Strnad, 54; Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, 50; State Sen. Kelda Roys, 46; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, 39; Rep. Francesca Hong, 36.

On the Republican side, there’s US Rep. Tom Tiffany, 67; and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, 43. 

Evers, 73, announced in late July he would not seek a third term.