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Wisconsin's 2026 gubernatorial election is unusual due to the lack of an incumbent and potentially no widely recognized candidates.

Few candidates have high statewide name recognition, creating an unpredictable race where candidates have more leeway to define themselves.

Historically, candidates with low name recognition rarely win statewide races, but the open field presents a unique opportunity.

The race is expected to be highly competitive and the most open-ended in decades.

Wisconsin will elect a new governor next year, and chances are good it’s someone most voters today know almost nothing about.

This is part of what makes 2026 a very unusual election year.

Wisconsin will have a big statewide campaign without an incumbent, which is rare enough.

Even rarer,

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