Live Wisconsin Primary Election Results 2026: Real-Time Vote Counts, Surprises, and What’s Next

Wisconsin primary election results 2026: key take-aways Wisconsin voters delivered high drama on August 11 as they chose nominees for governor and a slate of down-ballot contests. With more than 92 percent of precincts reporting, Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany cruised to victory, while the Democratic race remains razor-thin. Republican governor primary • Tom Tiffany, a conservative congressman from the Northwoods, easily secured the GOP nomination with about 95 percent of the vote, brushing aside businessman Andy Manske. Tiffany now pivots toward November with former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and a formidable fundraising edge. Democratic governor primary • Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley holds a paper-thin lead at 40.0 percent. • State Rep. Francesca Hong, a Madison restaurateur backed by progressive groups, is on his heels at 39.6 percent. • State Sen. Kelda Roys stands a distant third at 7.6 percent. Just 59,000 absentee and provisional ballots remain uncounted statewide, meaning a recount is possible if the margin tightens further. Why the Democratic race is so close Hong mobilized younger and urban voters with calls for a $20 minimum wage and a Green New Deal for dairy country. Crowley emphasized coalition-building and earned an eleventh-hour nod from outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, boosting his totals in Milwaukee’s suburbs. Other statewide contests • Lieutenant governor: State Rep. Sara Rodriguez (D) and radio host Kyle Yudes (R) clinched their parties’ nominations. • Attorney general: Incumbent Josh Kaul (D) was unopposed; GOP voters chose former U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger. • Secretary of state: Democrat Ann Jacobs and Republican Jay Schroeder advanced, setting up a rematch of the 2022 race. U.S. House highlights • In the 3rd District, Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic primary and will face freshman Republican Derrick Van Orden, setting up another marquee swing-seat battle. • Madison’s 2nd District saw progressive Alder Brian Benford defeat centrist Rep. Mark Pocan, signaling restless energy on the party’s left flank. Turnout trends Preliminary data show statewide turnout topping 22 percent of eligible voters, the highest for a Wisconsin partisan primary since 2018. Clerks report that early-in-person voting doubled compared with the 2024 cycle, driven largely by competitive Democratic contests in Dane and Milwaukee counties. What’s next The State Elections Commission is expected to certify results by August 23. If the Democratic margin lands within 1 percent, the trailing candidate may request a taxpayer-funded recount; otherwise the campaign must foot the bill. Both parties will meet in Milwaukee next week to unify donors and volunteers as the general-election sprint begins. With the governor’s mansion and control of redistricting on the line, Wisconsin’s primary election results 2026 ensure the Badger State will once again be a national political hotspot heading into November.