The Democratic primary field for Wisconsin governor is already crowded, but there may be another name joining the fray soon, and that name has some more clout and gravitas to it.
Incumbent Attorney General Josh Kaul is reportedly testing the waters to see if he can get enough backing to run and replace Tony Evers. Evers announced in July that he would not be seeking a third term, leaving the governorship of a much-needed swing state wide open.
Wisconsin conservative radio host Dan O'Donnell broke the story:
EXCLUSIVE: Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has spent the past few weeks meeting with Democrat donors as he plots a run for Governor. Sources tell me if they pledge enough money, he'll run. If they don't, he'll either run for a third term as AG or return to private practice. pic.twitter.com/uvv8nBk17f
— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) September 30, 2025
If Kaul doesn't run, failed Senate candidate and former Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes would likely join the race.
If Kaul doesn't run, sources say former Lieutenant Governor and Senate candidate Mandela Barnes will join the Democrat primary field.
— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) September 30, 2025
Kaul's campaign would also leave Wisconsin's Attorney General seat open, and Democrats are already lining up to fill that role:
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If Kaul does run, Milwaukee City Attorney Evan Goyke (a former Democrat State Assembly Rep) would be the prohibitive favorite to win the Dem AG nomination, but Assemblyman Tip McGuire and Perkins Coie Madison partner Sopen Shah would also consider runs.
— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) September 30, 2025
President Trump won Wisconsin by less than a percentage point in the November election, and Republicans currently control the state's Assembly and Senate. Democrats, including Evers and Kaul, hold significant roles in Wisconsin's government, however. Likewise, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (a job Evers once held) is a Leftist named Jill Underly.
Evers has led the decline of Wisconsin education. Almost a third of Wisconsin students can't read on grade level and Black students at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) test at the bottom nationally in reading and math. Instead of improving educational standards -- Evers in fact vetoed legislation improving standards -- Evers has instead focused on changing the language of government documents to replace "mother" and "woman" with "inseminated person."
Josh Kaul holds a high-ranking, well-known position in the state of Wisconsin. Should he choose to run, he would pose a real threat to the Republican field.
But he cannot win. He is a radical Leftist who will continue driving Wisconsin education, public safety, and quality of life down.
Kaul was a federal prosecutor in Baltimore, Maryland. He only prosecuted seven cases while there.
Kaul was the driving force behind the Wisconsin Supreme Court's (SCOWI) nullification of the state's 1849 abortion law on the grounds that it dealt with infanticide and not abortion. This is despite the fact that the law is titled "abortion." In an absolute chef's kiss moment, one of the liberal SCOWI Justices made reference to "pregnant people" in her concurring opinion.
That aligns with Kaul's support of the LGBTQ community and causes. He joined other Leftist Attorneys General to oppose President Trump's agenda to protect kids from radical trans ideology and the harmful, mutilating, and sterilizing "gender-affirming" care. In an ironic twist of fate, Kaul also pushed for a statewide ban on "conversion therapy" directed toward minors. Of course, "gender-affirming" care -- often performed on gay and lesbian youth who do not fit gender stereotypes -- is the ultimate form of "conversion therapy" and guys like Kaul support it wholeheartedly.
Kaul was endorsed by radical gun-grabbing organization Giffords, saying he supported "expanded background checks." He also supports red flag laws, high-capacity magazine bans, and a 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases. He also supports bans on "ghost guns."
Wisconsin has had enough Democrat insanity under the leadership of Tony Evers. With a Left-leaning SCOWI, we don't need a guy like Kaul in the governor's seat.
