WEST ALLIS, Wis. — More than a year away from the 2026 election for Wisconsin governor, candidates and prospective candidates looking for an early edge in the race came to the Wisconsin State Fair to meet with voters and pose for photos with cream puffs.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ decision last month not to seek reelection leaves a wide-open field in the governor’s race, and establishing name recognition will be a challenge for Democrats and Republicans alike. So far, two Republicans and one Democrat have declared their candidacy, and several politicians from across the state are considering whether to run.

Many voters at the fair said they still don’t have any idea who’s running – or planning to run, but they do have a clear sense of the issues they want candidates to prioritize.

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