Wisconsin Republicans Endorse Martin With 73.1% for Lieutenant Governor as Toney Wins AG Backing
Updated
Updated · WisPolitics.com · May 16
Wisconsin Republicans Endorse Martin With 73.1% for Lieutenant Governor as Toney Wins AG Backing
2 articles · Updated · WisPolitics.com · May 16
Will Martin cleared Wisconsin Republicans’ 60% convention threshold with 73.1% support, defeating former Lancaster Mayor David Varnam for the party’s lieutenant governor endorsement.
The backing marks a sharp turnaround from 2022, when Martin finished fifth in an eight-way GOP primary with 9.2% of the vote; Varnam was seventh at 5.2%.
Eric Toney also won the party’s attorney general endorsement after falling short of convention backing four years ago, when he still captured the primary before losing to Democrat Josh Kaul by 35,000 votes.
Republicans additionally endorsed incumbent Treasurer John Leiber and secretary of state candidate Nate Pollnow, the only qualified candidates in those races to seek convention support.
How did Will Martin transform from a fifth-place primary finisher to the party's endorsed candidate?
What does an early party endorsement truly guarantee for a candidate's success in Wisconsin's general election?
Why is the typically low-profile Secretary of State race drawing so much attention for the 2026 election?