Wisconsin Will Elect Attorney General November 3, 2026
Incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul and Republican Eric Toney will face off in a rematch for the statewide office.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you prioritize a candidate's political alignment over their professional track record when voting for attorney general?
Wisconsin voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to choose their next attorney general. The election features a rematch between incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul and Republican challenger Eric Toney.
Why it matters
The race serves as a key indicator of Wisconsin’s political direction, as the state navigates high-stakes debates over legal policies, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform.
The 2026 race follows the 2022 election where Josh Kaul defeated Eric Toney by 1.3 percentage points. During his tenure, Kaul oversaw the testing of over 4,000 rape kits at a cost of $9 million.
The players
Josh Kaul
He is the incumbent Democratic attorney general of Wisconsin who previously joined more than 70 lawsuits against the Trump administration.
Eric Toney
He is the Republican candidate for attorney general who has served as the district attorney for Fond du Lac County since 2012.
The details
The election centers on the candidates' differing approaches to state law, including the current 20-week abortion ban and the attorney general's role in national legal challenges. Kaul has highlighted his office's work on clearing the state's rape kit backlog, while Toney brings his experience as the Fond du Lac County district attorney to the campaign.
Timeline
2012: Eric Toney was first elected district attorney.
2018: Josh Kaul was first elected attorney general.
2022: Kaul defeated Toney in the attorney general race.
August 6, 2026: Josh Kaul participated in an interview in Madison.
November 3, 2026: The Wisconsin attorney general election occurs.
Political Context
This election follows the implementation of Wisconsin's 20-week abortion ban, which serves as a central point of contention for voters. The race will determine the future of legal enforcement and litigation strategy regarding this statute in the state.
The results of this election will directly influence state-level regulatory enforcement and how local agencies approach sensitive legal matters like forensic testing. Residents will see the outcomes manifest in the state's approach to criminal justice policies and the legal defense of current statutes.
The takeaway
Voters should review the candidates' specific legal priorities to understand how each would manage the state's criminal justice system and litigation caseload. This election is a crucial opportunity for citizens to shape the future direction of Wisconsin's primary law enforcement office.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming state contests, visit Elections.
Live Poll
Do you prioritize a candidate's political alignment over their professional track record when voting for attorney general?
