Kaul, Toney Face Off Again for Wisconsin Attorney General
Democrat Josh Kaul and Republican Eric Toney are running in a rematch for Wisconsin attorney general, with polls opening Tuesday.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you trust the state's Justice Department to handle crime lab testing well?
Democrat Josh Kaul is seeking a third term as Wisconsin attorney general against Republican Eric Toney, the Fond du Lac County District Attorney he beat by 35,000 votes four years ago. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, and same-day voter registration is available in Wisconsin.
Why it matters
The race is widely expected to be close again, with state crime labs, abortion laws and President Donald Trump emerging as central issues. Kaul has sued the Trump administration more than 70 times since 2025, a record that Toney has used to tie him to the current administration.
Kaul won the 2022 race by 35,000 votes, and he has sued the Trump administration more than 70 times since 2025. Toney claims more than 80 percent of Wisconsin sheriffs back his campaign, a figure not independently confirmed.
The players
Josh Kaul
Josh Kaul is the Democratic Wisconsin attorney general seeking a third term in the office.
Eric Toney
Eric Toney is the Republican Fond du Lac County District Attorney who is challenging Kaul for attorney general.
The details
Kaul hammered Toney on his proximity to the current administration at a Democratic rally in Rhinelander last week. Toney has cited delays in DNA and toxicology testing during Kaul's tenure and said Kaul failed to fill key positions, pledging to reverse the hiring freeze and require lab analysts to work in person.
Timeline
Four years ago: Kaul won a close victory over Toney in the previous attorney general race.
Since 2025: Kaul has sued the Trump administration more than 70 times.
Last week: Kaul attacked Toney at a Democratic rally in Rhinelander.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Polls open at 7 a.m. for the election.
Political Context
Toney is running again on claims of lapses in the state's Justice Department, arguing that Kaul's office has been slow on testing and staffing. Kaul's defense rests on his record of more than 70 lawsuits against the Trump administration since 2025.
Voters in Wisconsin can register on election day, and polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The outcome will determine who leads the state Justice Department, which oversees crime labs and statewide legal enforcement.
The takeaway
Voters weighing this race should look past the rhetoric and compare each candidate's record on lab backlogs, staffing and the department's litigation against the federal government. Checking your registration status before Tuesday can save time at the polls.
Further reading
For more on the candidates and how the race is shaping up, see Elections coverage across Wisconsin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJFW.
Live Poll
Do you trust the state's Justice Department to handle crime lab testing well?
