APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Picking his ice cream flavor at Frio Mexican Treats in Appleton was a difficult decision for Governor Tony Evers, but not nearly as challenging as the one he announced four days earlier that he’s ready to retire.
“Making this decision was easily the hardest decision I’ve made as a human being,” said Evers in one of his first public interviews since announcing he will not seek a third term. “I love my job. I think we’ve had some success.”
Evers says that success is why he’s confident he could have won a re-election bid, but having fun with family ended up being the true winner.
When asked what he hopes to accomplish before his term ends at the start of 2027, Evers says coming up with a plan for the state prison system – including Green Bay Correctional Institution.
“For us to say it’s going to be closed? Hell yes,” said Evers. “It should be closed and I think it would be helpful in some sort of piece of legislation we’re going to close GBCI and we’re going to do this with Waupun and we’re going to do this with all the different places.”\
As for who will replace Evers, Republican Senator Ron Johnson says he hopes his party will back one candidate without having a contentious primary. That’s the route Democrats tried against Johnson in 2022 when several candidates dropped out to back former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes.
“To me that’s really stupid,” said Evers. “I think a primary will prepare a candidate for the general election.”
Evers bases that off his own experience when he first ran for governor in a crowded field in 2018.
“At one time it was 20 Democrats running for governor of the state of Wisconsin back then,” said Evers. “That made me a better candidate.”
With his selection of S’mores, Evers showed he can pick a candidate in a crowded field, but says he has no plans to do that with the Democrats who want to succeed him.
“I will not say I will never do it, but at this point and time I’m considering what I’ve done in the past and that’s not endorsing in the primary,” said Evers.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is the only Democrat to officially announce her candidacy.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says he is taking steps toward entering the race.
On the Republican side, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and Milwaukee area businessman Bill Berrien have entered the race.
