Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) will run for governor of Wisconsin in 2026, adding a high-profile Republican to an already crowded field for the state’s top post.
He launched his bid for governor Tuesday, announcing on X that he’d “make Wisconsin a shining star in America again.”
“I see where we are headed and I know we can do better,” he said in a video posted to social media. “You know we can do better.”
Tiffany’s bid makes him the biggest name to join the race so far, joining a Republican field that includes businessperson and former Navy SEAL Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann.
A handful of Democrats — including state Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez — have also joined the race, though incumbent Gov. Tony Evers has not yet endorsed in the battle to replace him.
Evers, a Democrat, announced his retirement in July, freeing up the seat for an open race for the first time in 16 years.
Tiffany, who represents a portion of northern Wisconsin, has cast himself as one of Trump’s vocal supporters. The Republican has proudly lauded Trump’s budget bill in town halls and repeatedly aligned himself with the president.
His bid for higher office will open up his House seat, although it is fairly red and will likely not be competitive next November.
In his announcement video, Tiffany said under Democratic leadership, the American dream is “slipping away,” pointing to factories shutting down in the state and sinking educational results. He cited freezing property taxes, protecting farmland from “communist China” and preserving “Wisconsin values” as his main objectives as governor.
“Common sense will win,” he said in the video. “Because we can not let Minnesota’s madness and Illinois’ insanity to take over here in Wisconsin.”
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