Wisconsin
Stevens Point resident Collin McNamara announces candidacy for Wisconsin secretary of state
A primary will be held between members of the same party running for the secretary of state seat on Aug. 11, 2026. The general election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
STEVENS POINT – Stevens Point resident Collin McNamara announced his candidacy Sept. 8 for Wisconsin secretary of state.
Secretary of state is a statewide office elected every four years in November partisan elections. The office maintains records of acts of the governor and legislature and keeps the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin. The office also is responsible for issuing authentications and filing oaths of office and deeds for state-owned land and buildings, according to the office’s website.
Current Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, appointed by Gov. Tony Evers in March 2023, announced Aug. 20 she would leave the office following the end of its current term to pursue a run for lieutenant governor. Current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez announced a bid for Wisconsin governor July 25 following Evers’ announcement he would not seek a third term in 2026.
McNamara is the third candidate and second Democrat to officially announce a run for the secretary of state office after Milwaukee Common Council alderperson and former state assemblyperson JoCasta Zamarripa announced her candidacy on Sept. 4. Green Party member Pete Karas announced his candidacy for the office earlier in 2025. No Republicans have yet officially announced candidacy for the race.
More about McNamara
McNamara previously ran for Wisconsin’s 24th Senate District in November 2024 during which he lost to Republican State Sen. Patrick Testin, who won his third term in the seat since 2016.
Despite the loss, McNamara claims he overperformed in Republican areas of the 24th Senate District in central Wisconsin and “won the trust of people from all walks of life,” according to a Sept. 8 news release announcing his candidacy.
“From Rhinelander to Racine, Wisconsinites deserve leaders who know the value of hard work, who will show up, and who will never quit no matter how difficult the odds may be,” McNamara said in the release. “I am used to defying expectations, and I will never stop fighting for a better future for you.”
McNamara grew up in Iola and has been an active member of the Democratic Party in both Waupaca and Portage counties since he turned 14, according to his campaign website. While pursuing his degree in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point he was elected to president of student government. He helped lead student activists during a university campus budget crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and social and political unrest, according to his website.
“In every position I held, I earned a reputation for asking tough questions, challenging the status quo to achieve results, and collaborating with diverse individuals,” McNamara said of his time in student government. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2022.
More information about McNamara can be found on his campaign website mcnamaraforwisconsin.com.
When will Wisconsin residents vote for secretary of state candidates?
A primary will be held between members of the same party running for the secretary of state seat on Aug. 11, 2026. The general election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin man arrested in Colorado in connection with deadly hit-and-run in north suburbs
A Wisconsin man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a fatal north suburban hit-and-run earlier this year that left a 50-year-old woman killed.
According to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, turned himself into police in Lakewood Colorado on an arrest warrant. Kern was charged with two felonies, police said, and remains in custody in Colorado pending extradition proceedings.
About 11:10 p.m. on February 26, a pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road in Winthrop Harbor by a driver of a vehicle heading northbound. The vehicle then fled the scene, police said.
The pedestrian, later identified as Shanna White, 50, of Waukegan, was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, Kern’s next scheduled court date is set for July 22.
Wisconsin
TOUR KICKS OFF: Kids from Wisconsin begins 56th annual tour Thursday in Whitewater
WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV) – The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.
Kids from Wisconsin is a traveling show with 22 singer-dancers and 14 band members. The troupe performs across Wisconsin, hosting workshops for kids and helping fundraise for youth arts programs.
This year’s theme is “America’s Soundtrack: The Pulse of a Nation.” The theme honors the 250th anniversary of America and features music by all-American composers, bands and performers.
Kids from Wisconsin bassist and student leader Alex Coller said that range is what makes this year’s tour stand out.
“The theme is really just celebrating American music. And I think it’s definitely one of the most cohesive and like diverse shows I have played with this organization,” Coller said. “Even though its just American music it’s really cool to see. Anyone no matter who you are, or what your musical background is, or whether you like music or not, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”
Kids from Wisconsin’s artistic and choral director, Taras Nahirniak, said audiences won’t want to miss it.
“Find a show near you, you are not going to want to miss this show. It’s just spectacular, the kids are so talented,” Nahirniak said. “We are just finishing up our camp right now, and they are just working their tails off. To really go around the state and show the state what they have.”
The tour premieres Thursday night at Young Auditorium in Whitewater. For tickets, tour dates or to find a show, visit kidsfromwi.org.
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Wisconsin
Democrat Missy Hughes drops out of Wisconsin governor race
Marquette poll shows Wisconsin voters unfocused on governor race
A Marquette University Law School poll reveals Wisconsin voters lack focus on the governor’s race, with most undecided 5 months before the primary.
MADISON – Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes is dropping out of the Democratic primary race for governor and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.
Hughes, who was the most moderate candidate in the Democratic field for governor, suspended her campaign days after placing last in a straw poll of party delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention in Madison.
Her endorsement of Rodriguez comes as some Democrats are eyeing an alternative to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who leans further left than current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Hong and Barnes are considered frontrunners in the primary race.
In a statement, Hughes flicked at the approach of Hong and other candidates to her left who have proposed significant changes to state government.
“I believe there is great hope in these small efforts to find common ground. I wanted to make sure that Wisconsinites understand we have created something valuable and that investing in ourselves and our communities is well-deserved,” Hughes said. “We do not need to tear it all down, and there is real and important work to do to improve what we already have.”
Hughes suggested Rodriguez would make more reasonable decisions as governor than her primary opponents.
“This job is about running the state, and getting things done. As you consider what is important to you, I urge you to look beyond the talking points, social media posts, and gilded promises and consider what you think is essential to do the job,” she said. “Stop asking, ‘Who will win?’ and start asking who you trust to make big decisions that impact our families and the wellbeing of our loved ones, neighbors and communities.”
This developing story will be updated.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
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