Attorney General Josh Kaul has opted not to run for Wisconsin governor in 2026 and instead plans to run for a third term in his current position.
Kaul was considered the potential frontrunner in the Democratic primary if he decided to join. His decision opens the door for more candidates to jump in, including former Lt. Gov. and U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes.
The attorney general is the state’s top law enforcement official. Kaul has joined or filed numerous lawsuits against Trump administration policies, such as terminating $10 million for school-based mental health programs in Wisconsin.
So far, no Republicans have launched campaigns for attorney general. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney, who challenged Kaul in 2022, is likely to enter the race.
Here’s what to know about Kaul, his role as attorney general, background and political history:
What is Josh Kaul’s political experience?
Kaul was first elected as attorney general in 2018, narrowly defeating former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel. He won reelection in 2022.
In his role, Kaul successfully pushed to invalidate the state’s 1849 statute thought to ban abortions. He also represented Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in a lawsuit that resulted in new legislative maps.
Kaul also filed charges against high-profile attorneys, including a former Wisconsin judge, who are considered to be the architects of the “fake electors” plot in Wisconsin. He has faced criticism from some Democrats for not charging the Republicans who participated in the 2020 scheme.
Under Kaul’s tenure, the state Department of Justice has also pushed for more funding for the Office of School Safety and State Crime Lab analysts.
What did Josh Kaul do before politics?
Before seeking elected office, Kaul worked as a federal prosecutor in Baltimore from 2010 to 2014, where he “prosecuted murderers, gang members and drug traffickers,” according to his official bio.
He moved back to Wisconsin in 2014 and began working at Perkins Coie law firm, focusing on voting rights and other election-related litigation.
What is Josh Kaul’s platform?
If elected to a third term, Kaul said he would seek more funding for crime victim services and pursue more background checks on firearm purchases in the state.
Kaul said personal considerations were part of his decision making but said the role of attorney general is “critical … in this moment in time.”
“It’s critically important that we have somebody who is strong in that role and committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting our freedoms,” he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
How old is Josh Kaul?
Kaul is 44.
Who is in Josh Kaul’s family?
Kaul lives in Madison with his wife, Lindsey, and two sons.
Where did Josh Kaul go to college?
Kaul received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University, where he majored in economics and history. He attended Stanford Law School and was president of the Stanford Law Review.
Where is Josh Kaul from?
Josh Kaul grew up in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. Kaul is the son of former attorney general Peg Lautenschlager and Raj Kaul, who immigrated from India.
What has Josh Kaul said about President Trump?
Kaul has joined lawsuits against several directives from the Trump administration. In one case, he called blocking Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood “horrendous” and “reckless policy.”
Kaul also said he would seek to prevent President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Wisconsin.
“Barring truly exceptional circumstances, the military should not be deployed in American cities,” he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“The comments the president made about training grounds, for instance, are deeply disturbing. And they’re fundamentally inconsistent with our values and the values that free countries hold close, which is that we have civilian control of the government,” Kaul said.
When are Wisconsin’s next elections?
Mark your calendars for Feb. 17, April 7, Aug. 11 and Nov. 3, 2026 — elections are scheduled for each of those Tuesdays across Wisconsin. You can view a list of important dates on the Wisconsin Election Commission’s website.
Spring elections are for nonpartisan offices, and fall elections are for partisan ones, including governor and attorney general.
Molly Beck of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Josh Kaul, who is seeking reelection as Wisconsin attorney general
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
