Business executive Missy Hughes announced her candidacy for Wisconsin governor, joining a growing list of women seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2026 race.
Hughes, a political newcomer who has never run for office before, brings extensive experience working with businesses across Wisconsin to grow the state's economy. The mother of three and marathon runner who has completed eight races also raises sheep on her farm in rural Wisconsin.
"I am so excited to jump into this race, and it is just the perfect time for a Democrat who understands the economy," Hughes said.
Hughes served in the Evers Administration as Secretary and CEO of Economic Development, where she focused on bringing jobs and investments to Wisconsin.
When asked about her vision for Wisconsin's economy, Hughes outlined what she calls a "Main Street economy."
"A Main Street economy means access to good-paying jobs, to strong communities, and really the key priorities are access to childcare, to healthcare, and to an education that prepares our students for the future, but also provides opportunities for adults to engage in lifelong education," Hughes said.
Watch: Wisconsin executive Missy Hughes running for governor
On education policy, Hughes emphasized her support for public schools while acknowledging that other educational options exist across the state.
"I want to be a governor that supports public schools because that's the most access that kids have every day," Hughes said. "There's room for other types of schools, absolutely, we see that across the state we have an incredible variety of education, but first and foremost, we want to make sure that every day someone has access to a strong public school that provides the education you need to be successful in this world."
Hughes draws on her small-town Vernon County roots, where she raises sheep on her farm.
"I live in rural Wisconsin, it's a town of 4,000. I've got 70 sheep that live on my farm with me, and so our community is incredibly strong," Hughes said. "People take care of each other. People look out for each other and think about how to build the community together. That's the same in any community in Wisconsin, large or small, urban, rural, suburban. It's really about people coming together and saying how can we make our lives together, and I want to help them do that."
The Wisconsin Democratic primary is scheduled for August 11, 2026.
This story was reported on-air by Charles Benson and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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