Here and Now
Missy Hughes on the 2026 Primary for Governor of Wisconsin
Clip: Season 2400 Episode 2424 | 4m 1sVideo has Closed Captions
Missy Hughes on running for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and politics of the race.
Former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes discusses why she is running in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and how both state and national politics factor in the race.
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Here and Now is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin
Here and Now
Missy Hughes on the 2026 Primary for Governor of Wisconsin
Clip: Season 2400 Episode 2424 | 4m 1sVideo has Closed Captions
Former WEDC CEO Missy Hughes discusses why she is running in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and how both state and national politics factor in the race.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipwe're going to ensure that it is.
>> Mandela Barnes.
Thanks for coming in.
>> For sure.
Thank you so much.
>> Statewide recognition also belongs to Zach's next candidate interview.
Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes Missy Hughes.
>> Thanks so much for joining us.
>> Good to see you.
>> So for voters who don't know you, introduce you're running for governor.
>> Yeah.
So I'm a mother of three.
I've lived in Wisconsin since almost 2000, and we raised our family here.
My husband and I working for Organic Valley, and I worked for Organic Valley for 17 years.
And then Governor Evers asked if I was interested in running economic development for the state.
So for the last six years, I was the head of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
>> Is there a single issue that drives you, or perhaps a lane within the party that helps define you?
>> You know, it's all about the economy and building a strong economy for all Wisconsinites.
That's what I did for years working at Organic Valley, helping farmers stay on their farms, and then at Wedc building an economy, whether it was in Milwaukee or Antigo or Superior all around the state, working with communities and businesses so that everyday Wisconsinites can succeed.
>> How money much do you think you need to raise in order to to win this primary?
>> Oh, you know, the the money factor in politics is really interesting.
And I have an incredible network.
I think that the race is going to be anywhere between 2 or $3 million for the primary.
But, you know, I'm just guessing.
I'm not sure that I have the best answer for that.
I can tell you that heading into the general, which is what I'm focused on, it is going to be an incredible race.
All eyes of the nation are going to be on Wisconsin.
>> For you personally, how do you define the difference between negative campaigning against a member of your own party versus just defining the differences between two candidates?
that Wisconsin has a lot of choices for the Democratic primary, and my goal is to make sure that Wisconsinites know my story.
I have a story that is fresh and different.
I've never run for office before.
I'm the only one who is from outside of Madison or Milwaukee, so I have a lot to say about myself, and I'm going to be focused on telling my story.
>> For primary voters who are tuning in right now, should they be looking for the the candidate where they align most closely on the issues, or should they be thinking about electability?
wisconsinite, I want to make sure that we keep the governor's seat blue and that we have someone who can lead the state and be successful in building an economy for the state.
And that's why just as as a citizen of Wisconsin, I'm focused on electability and making sure that we get the right candidate winning in November.
primary.
Most of the candidates have connections to Madison or Milwaukee, southeast Wisconsin, or even your.
Your position ties you to Madison.
What's your your goal?
To reach the rest of the state and let people know that you you can connect with those other areas.
foremost, I live in western Wisconsin, so I am from outside of Madison and Milwaukee.
I have worked all around the state.
We've had impact in all 72 counties.
So, you know, whether it's a small business in Washburn that we've supported or Milwaukee Tool or Fiserv in downtown Milwaukee, we've had impact all around the state.
And so I can speak to creating a statewide coalition that carries the day next November.
>> What will be the impact of Donald Trump on this election?
>> You know, I think what we're really seeing is just a devastation in the economy.
As I'm talking to businesses, they are pulling back.
They're not rehiring people, they're stopping investments.
And as I'm talking to everyday Wisconsinites, they are struggling to make ends meet.
This is all because of Donald Trump's policies.
This is a man made crisis that we are in right now.
You know, looking at what's happening with the farmers out in western Wisconsin, we saw farmers plowing under soybeans, which is insanity.
And now Donald Trump is offering a bailout to try to make up for his failed policies.
And again,
Francesca Hong on the 2026 Primary for Governor of Wisconsin
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2400 Ep2424 | 5m 17s | Francesca Hong on running for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and politics of the race. (5m 17s)
Here & Now opening for December 19, 2025
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Clip: S2400 Ep2424 | 40s | The introduction to the December 19, 2025 episode of Here & Now. (40s)
Joel Brennan on the 2026 Primary for Governor of Wisconsin
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2400 Ep2424 | 5m 35s | Joel Brennan on running for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and politics of the race. (5m 35s)
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Mandela Barnes on the 2026 Primary for Governor of Wisconsin
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2400 Ep2424 | 5m 50s | Mandela Barnes on running for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and politics of the race. (5m 50s)
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