Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - The 2026 race for Wisconsin governor has its first declared Democratic candidate: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.

Rodriguez announced her campaign less than 24 hours after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he wouldn't seek a third term. Other Democrats are likely to jump in, including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rodriguez said she's seeking office to help families navigate economic pressures.

"I'm a daughter of a veteran and a union member, and I can see within Wisconsin how families are being squeezed. They are having a difficult time being able to make ends meet, and they need somebody who can lead the state, who can fight for them — just everyday working families," she said.

Here's what to know about Rodriguez, the first Democrat to launch a run for governor:

What is Sara Rodriguez's political experience?

Rodriguez entered politics in 2020 and said she decided to run for office because of Republican lawmakers' handling of the pandemic. She flipped a Republican Assembly seat in Brookfield and served one term.

As a state lawmaker, she authored legislation to require face masks in public during the pandemic, implement ranked choice voting and automatically register eligible voters, among other bills.

She ran and was elected lieutenant governor in 2022, replacing former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who left office and unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate that year.

Lieutenant governors are second in line for the governorship, but the office has few official duties. She chairs a governor's task force on the state's health care workforce.

What did Sara Rodriguez do before politics?

Rodriguez has a background in health care. She worked as a registered nurse and for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service, according to her campaign website.

She also worked as vice president of population health and integrated care management for Advocate Aurora Health before starting a health care consulting business in 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile.

What is Sara Rodriguez's platform?

In her campaign launch video, Rodriguez expressed priorities like expanding Medicaid, boosting the health care workforce, funding public schools and giving teachers raises.

Rodriguez told the Journal Sentinel she supports overturning Act 10, legalizing and regulating marijuana, and lifting restrictions on abortion access — currently capped at 20 weeks in Wisconsin — but maintaining restrictions in the third trimester.

How old is Sara Rodriguez?

Rodriguez is 50.

Who is in Sara Rodriguez's family?

Rodriguez and her husband, Baltazar, have two children and a dog named Chico. Her husband is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, according to her campaign website.

Where did Sara Rodriguez go to college?

Rodriguez has a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Illinois Wesleyan University and master's degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, according to her LinkedIn.

Where is Sara Rodriguez from?

Rodriguez grew up in Brookfield and lives there now. She's a graduate of Brookfield East High School, according to her official bio.

What has Sara Rodriguez said about Trump?

In her campaign launch video, Rodriguez referred to Trump as a "maniac in the White House."

"His tariffs are killing our farmers, and his policies are hurting our kids," she said.

What are Republicans saying about Sara Rodriguez?

Bill Berrien, who's running for governor as a Republican, said Rodriguez is "the very embodiment of Tony Evers and the Madison Democrats’ failed record over the last six years."

"Wisconsin cannot afford to have a continuation of the Evers’ policies that kept us stuck in reverse. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Sara Rodriguez or another one of the radical left Democrats that decide to enter this race, one thing is for certain: I plan to win," Berrien said in a statement.

Who else is running for governor in Wisconsin?

Rodriguez is the only Democrat to officially launch a campaign, though others have expressed interest and are likely to join the race.

On the Republican side, two candidates have declared runs: Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann. Others could launch bids, including U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.

When are Wisconsin's next elections?

Mark your calendars for Feb. 17, April 7, Aug. 11 and Nov. 3, 2026 — elections are scheduled for each of those Tuesdays across Wisconsin. You can view a list of important dates on the Wisconsin Election Commission's website.

Spring elections are for nonpartisan offices, and fall elections are for partisan ones. The August primary will include the Republican and Democratic fields for governor, and the final candidates will move onto the general election.