Just as the leaves are turning color this month, so is your primary ballot for next fall’s race for Wisconsin Governor.

In the wake of U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany joining the Republican field, Milwaukee-area businessman Bill Berrien exited after entering the race in July. Currently, Tiffany and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann are the leading candidates to put a Republican back in the Governor’s mansion for the first time since 2018.

On the Democratic side, former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Director Missy Hughes became the latest entry into the primary after announcing her candidacy on Monday. According to the Associated Press, Hughes spent 16 years at Organic Valley, a dairy cooperative, before her six-year stint at the WEDC. Touting that experience, she says the state needs a leader “who knows what it takes to create jobs, support workers, and attract businesses.”

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Senator Kelda Roys, and state Rep. Francesca Hong make up the rest of the crowded Democratic field looking to replace Governor Tony Evers, who announced shortly after signing the 2025-2027 biennial budget that he would not be running for a third term.

The primary election is scheduled for August 2026.