Evers after town hall: No endorsement for his job yet, says Rodriguez learned his announcement ‘the day of’

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --On Monday, July 28, Governor Tony Evers answered questions from reporters for the first time since announcing he would not run for a third term.

Evers was in Milwaukee for an “ice cream town hall” aiming to meet community members and discuss the state budget he signed into law earlier this month.

Evers told reporters after the town hall he does not have plans to endorse a candidate for governor at this time.

“I tend to try to avoid that,” Evers said. “I’ll never say never, I want to make sure who the rest of the candidates are before I make that decision.

Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley have both announced their plans to run in 2026. Rodriguez had posted a campaign video less than 24 hours after Evers announced he would not run again.

Evers said he did not give Rodriguez advanced notice of his decision.

“It was just at the same time I let my cabinet members know, the day of,” Evers said. “The idea that there was from what you said, the day before, whatever, you’ll have to ask her why that happened.”

"Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez was ready to hit the ground running if Governor Evers decided not to seek re-election," a spokesperson for Rodriguez's campaign said Monday. "Sara was informed of the governor's decision the day of his announcement, and her announcement video was uploaded in advance because she and her team were prepared." 

Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Madison State Senator Kelda Roys have shared interest in running but have not formally launched a campaign yet.

According to the Associated Press, an advisor said Wisconsin’s Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski doesn’t plan to run for governor or for a full term in her current position, but she is considering running for lieutenant governor next year.

The two Republicans already running, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and businessman Bill Berrien, previously downplayed the impact of Evers' announcement on their campaigns.

Former Governor Scott Walker had teased a potential run on social media. On Sunday, he announced he would pass on running in 2026.

“I wish he would have,” Evers said. “We would beat him again.”