Gov. Evers' fundraising is far short of his levels four years ago. Is it a sign he won't seek re-election?

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Newly filed campaign finance records show Gov. Tony Evers raised less than $1 million in the first half of 2025, a substantial drop-off from his fundraising totals at this time four years ago.

Evers' July filing shows the governor took in $757,215 during the first six months of the year. In his July 2021 report, filed one month after Evers announced he'd seek a second term, Evers reporting receiving $5.01 million.

Evers has still yet to announce whether he will run for a third term in 2026. He had long said he'd announce his plans after signing the next two-year state budget, and he did that two weeks ago.

Former Republican strategist Brandon Scholz said he does not see the fundraising numbers as a sure sign Evers won't seek re-election.

"I don't think Governor Evers would have any difficulty raising the money he needed or would need to run, should he announce for re-election," Scholz said in an interview Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Evers' campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Britt Cudaback, communications director for the governor's office, dismissed a conservative talk radio host's post claiming he'd heard from sources Evers will announce in the next 24-36 hours he will not run again.

"Setting an alarm for 36 hours from now so I can pop back online to tell the ‘insider’ blogs to get better sources," Cudaback posted on X.

A Democratic strategist who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity said the significantly smaller fundraising totals were a sign it's most likely Evers will not seek another term.

The strategist said if Evers did run again, fundraising wouldn't be a concern because national money would pour into the battleground state for both major parties' candidates.

He added a big reason for Evers' smaller 2025 fundraising totals was the governor had been working behind the scenes to secure donations in a pair of high-stakes state Supreme Court races, backing Janet Protasiewicz in 2023 and Susan Crawford earlier this spring. Both women won, allowing liberals to take and maintain a majority on the state's high court.

The Democratic strategist said Evers' age should be a consideration given the backlash to Democrats' decision last year to back former President Joe Biden's re-election plans until a disastrous debate performance forced Mr. Biden out of the race. Scholz said he didn't see a strong parallel between Biden, 82, and Evers, who will turn 75 two days after the 2026 election.

"He's demonstrated that he's got command of the facts," Scholz said. "He's probably not gonna go out and do a four-minute mile, but he's an active governor."

Crowded field? How crowded?

If Evers decides not to seek re-election, Wisconsin would have its first wide-open governor's race since 2010, when Republican Scott Walker defeated former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Prior to that election, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle opted against running for a third term.

Walker then served for two terms and sought a third in 2018. He was derated in that race by Evers. 

"Should Governor Evers not run for re-election, then you blow this whole thing up," Scholz said. "Because it's gonna be a charge of the brigade, a half-dozen folks in the Democratic primary."

The list of possible Democratic candidates for governor includes Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the former state party chair, Ben Wikler.

On the Republican side, two candidates are officially in the race. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann announced his bid in May, and he's raised $424,000 so far this year, according to his July campaign filing. 

Bill Berrien, who owns a New Berlin manufacturing plant, launched his campaign earlier this month. A political action committee he previously launched has taken in $1.15 million. 

State campaign finance records show $1 million of that amount came from Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. The twins own the cryptocurrency company, Gemini, and donated nearly $2 million to President Donald Trump's campaign last year while also funding a handful of Republican and Democratic candidates nationwide.

"Big checks, big money, millionaire money isn't that much of a surprise anymore," Scholz said. "So, the fact these guys dropped a million into his PAC, that shouldn't surprise anybody."

A spokesperson for Berrien's campaign did not respond to questions about the Winklevoss donation. A spokesperson for Schoemann said they were not fazed by Berrien's plans to soon begin airing ads across the state.

"Money buys ads, but as we've seen far too often in Wisconsin it can't buy wins," Schoemann campaign spokesperson Ben Voelkel said. "It takes hard work and authenticity to earn voters' support, not just slick ads."

Other Republicans are expected to enter the race later this year. Possible candidates include Eric Hovde, who lost his bid for a U.S. Senate seat last fall, Congressman Tom Tiffany, and State Sen. Mary Felzkowski.

When asked if he believed the eventual GOP gubernatorial nominee is currently in the race, Scholz paused for a beat.

"How 'bout those Brewers?" he said with a laugh. "Way too early to call."