Previous Governors of Wisconsin
Governors who previously held office in Wisconsin, with term dates and party affiliation.
Tony Evers was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. A former public school teacher and principal, he served as Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction for ten years before becoming governor. He has vetoed over 100 Republican-passed bills and is known for defending voting access and public education.
Scott Kevin Walker is an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Milwaukee County executive from 2002 to 2010. He is the most recent Republican to have served as governor of Wisconsin.
James Edward Doyle Jr. is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th governor of Wisconsin from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 41st attorney general of Wisconsin from 1991 to 2003.
James Scott McCallum is an American businessman and former politician. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 43rd governor of Wisconsin, ascending from the lieutenant governorship when Tommy Thompson resigned in 2001 to accept appointment as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Prior to becoming governor, McCallum served 14 years as Thompson's lieutenant governor and 10 years in the Wisconsin State Senate.
Tommy George Thompson is an American politician who served as the 19th United States secretary of health and human services from 2001 to 2005 in the cabinet of President George W. Bush. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 42nd governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001 and Republican floor leader in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1981 to 1987. Thompson is the longest-serving governor in Wisconsin history and is the only person to be elected to the office four times.
Anthony Scully Earl was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as the 41st governor of Wisconsin from 1983 until 1987. Prior to his election as governor, he served as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration and secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the administration of Governor Patrick Lucey. He also served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Marathon County.
Lee Sherman Dreyfus was an American educator and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 40th governor of Wisconsin from January 4, 1979, to January 3, 1983. Dreyfus was a 33rd degree Mason in the Scottish Rite.
Martin James Schreiber is an American politician, publisher, author, and lobbyist who served as the 38th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1977, and as the 39th governor of Wisconsin from 1977 to 1979. Schreiber has become an advocate on issues related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Patrick Joseph Lucey was an American politician who served as the United States ambassador to Mexico from 1977 to 1979. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 38th governor of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1977. Lucey was also the running mate of independent presidential nominee John B. Anderson in the 1980 presidential election.
Warren Perley Knowles III was an American lawyer and politician who was the 37th governor of Wisconsin from 1965 to 1971. Prior to that, he was the 32nd and 34th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, and represented St. Croix, Buffalo, Pepin, and Pierce Counties in the Wisconsin Senate for fourteen years.