Good morning, Wisconsin!

Ellie here. I’m back and better than ever!

I had an amazing time across the pond in Italy, but we’ve got a lot to catch up on. Let’s jump in.

Election season is quickly approaching, with midterms happening on Aug. 11. So far, in our Meet the Candidates, we’ve taken a look at all the candidates in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial, Congressional District 3, and Congressional District 7 races. Today, we’re doing one large roundup of all these candidates to jog your memory.

Speaking of Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention took place on June 12, where candidates spoke to hundreds of delegates about their vision’s for Wisconsin’s future. UpNorthNews’ Founding Editor, Pat Kreitlow, attended the convention and has got you covered with all you need to know.

Ellie Bourdo

Newsletter Editor, UpNorthNews

“Peninsula park in Door County, Eagles panorama, 9pm on the solstice.” (Courtesy of Kristophe B.)

Our reader, Kristophe B., sent in this amazing view of a sunset in Door County during the solstice. What an awesome view, thanks for sharing!

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Don’t forget, there’s another eclipse coming this summer. Here’s where to see it in Wisconsin.

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Before you vote: What does Wisconsin’s governor actually do?

No matter who wins, Wisconsin’s governor plays a major role in how the state is run—and in decisions that can affect our daily lives.

Here are some of the responsibilities that come with the job:

→ Signing or vetoing laws passed by the Legislature.

→ Proposing the state budget, which helps shape funding for schools, roads, healthcare, environmental protection, and local governments.

→ Appointing leaders to oversee areas such as public health, natural resources, transportation, and corrections.

→ Setting policy priorities through executive orders, including during emergencies or through task forces and administrative action.

→ Representing Wisconsin in work with other states and the federal government on disaster relief, infrastructure funding, and federal programs.

The governor’s decisions help shape how state government works for everyone who calls Wisconsin home. Understanding the role can help voters better evaluate candidates and what they’re asking to lead.

Wisconsin politics can get complicated fast. We’re here to make it easier to understand what’s happening, who’s making decisions, and how it affects your life. If that matters to you, chip in to support our work.

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Gubernatorial, Congressional District 3, and Congressional District 7 candidate round up

The Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. (Photo by Jonathon Sadowski)

Here is a comprehensive list of all the candidates we have covered so far:

Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race candidates:

Democrats:

Mandela Barnes—former lieutenant governor, running on healthcare expansion, and economic fairness.

Sara Rodriguez—current lieutenant governor and former ER nurse, focused on healthcare, reproductive rights, and affordability.

David Crowley—current Milwaukee County executive, focusing on affordability, expanding healthcare, and housing.

Kelda Roys—current Wisconsin state senator, running on progressive priorities like education and economic equity.

Francesca Hong—current Wisconsin state representative, focusing on childcare, public education, and affordable healthcare.

Joel Brennan—former Department of Administration secretary running on improving the lives of Wisconsinites by standing up to “Trump’s dysfunction.”

Republicans

Tom Tiffany—current US congressman endorsed by President Donald Trump, running on lowering costs and job creation.

Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District candidates:

Democrats:

Emily Berge—a professional counselor and member of the Eau Claire City Council since 2018, focused on housing, healthcare, affordability, and economics.

Rebecca Cooke—a small business appointed to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation by Gov. Tony Evers, focused on healing the healthcare system, creating an economy for working families, and fighting for Wisconsin’s farmers.

Republicans:

Derrick Van Orden—a retired Navy SEAL and the current US Representative for District 3, focused on transportation and infrastructure, rebuilding the economy, and leading with integrity.

Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District candidates:

Democrats:

Chris Armstrong—a small business owner in the IT industry, focused on prosperity, opportunity, security, dignity, and stability.

Ginger Murray—an attorney and a Forest County native, focused on education, economic stability, healthcare, and environmental safeguards.

Fred Clark—a former state assembly representative and longtime forester and ecologist, focused on rebuilding Wisconsin’s rural economy, healthcare for all, affordability and a future for farms and forests.

Republicans:

Michael Alfonso—son-in-law of US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, endorsed by President Donald Trump, focused on restoring hope for Americans, preserving the country, and delivering the MAGA agenda.

Jessi Ebben—a “Trump conservative,” focused on standing with President Donald Trump, border security, protecting the 2nd Amendment, and being anti-abortion.

Kevin Hermening—a Marine veteran and a financial advisor focused on border security, defending the rule of law, law enforcement support, healthcare, and social security.

Niina Threlfall-Baum—a marketing agency owner, focused on housing, food and farm stability, business and trades, and data center regulation.

Next week, we’ll start taking a look at the candidates in Wisconsin’s Senate races.

Missy Hughes drops out of the Democratic primary for WI governor

Missy Hughes (right) suspended her campaign for governor and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. The remaining Democratic candidates for the Aug. 11 primary are (left to right, top to bottom) former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, former Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Rep. Francesca Hong, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and Sen. Kelda Roys.

By Pat Kreitlow

Missy Hughes, the former chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, dropped out of the governor’s race on Monday, suspending her effort to convince voters that someone with a record of private and public sector business growth would be the strongest candidate to keep the governor’s office in Democratic hands. Hughes endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez for the Aug. 11 primary to see who will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.

“I will always look for ways to serve, but it won’t be as Governor,” Hughes said in a released statement. “Today, I am suspending my campaign.”