Josh Kaul Wins Re-election as Wisconsin Attorney General
Incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul defeats Republican challenger Eric Toney in Wisconsin's attorney general race.
1Election Outcome Confirmed
Incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul secured victory against Republican challenger Eric Toney in the Wisconsin attorney general election held on November 3, 2026. This contest served as a rematch of the 2022 election, where Kaul previously defeated Toney by a narrow margin of 50.6% to 49.3%, solidifying his continued tenure in office.
2Federal Litigation Strategy
A central point of contention involved Kaul’s active participation in over 70 multi-state lawsuits against the Trump administration. Kaul defended these actions as necessary protections for environmental standards, birthright citizenship, and federal funding. Conversely, Toney criticized these efforts as a misuse of state resources that distracted from essential local law enforcement duties.
3Public Safety Priorities
Eric Toney campaigned on a platform focused heavily on public safety, specifically targeting the improvement of state crime labs. He proposed ending remote work policies for analysts and filling vacant positions to expedite evidence testing. Toney also emphasized an aggressive prosecution strategy for drug crimes, particularly those involving fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution.
4Kaul’s Administrative Record
Josh Kaul highlighted his record of prosecuting serious crimes, including homicides and sexual assaults, as a primary campaign pillar. He noted his administration’s role in securing hundreds of millions of dollars from opioid manufacturers. Additionally, Kaul pointed to a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling he obtained regarding abortion laws as a major accomplishment.
5Triplex Status Implications
The election was critical for maintaining Wisconsin’s triplex status, where the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state offices are held by the same party. By winning this race, Democrats successfully maintained their triplex control. Had Republicans secured this seat or other key offices, the state’s political power structure would have shifted significantly.
6Context of 2026 Elections
This race was one of 30 attorney general elections conducted across the United States in 2026. Wisconsin’s political landscape remains closely divided, evidenced by the 2024 presidential results where Donald Trump narrowly defeated Kamala Harris in the state. This environment made the attorney general contest a focal point for both major parties.
7Professional Backgrounds
Josh Kaul, first elected in 2018, previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Maryland and as a voting rights attorney. Eric Toney brought experience as the district attorney of Fond du Lac County since 2012 and as the former president of the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association before running.
8Role and Future Outlook
As the head of the Department of Justice, the attorney general serves as the chief legal officer for Wisconsin, providing counsel to all state agencies. Moving forward, Kaul faces the challenge of balancing his office's legal responsibilities with the ongoing public safety concerns and political pressures that defined this competitive election cycle.
Original article: Ballotpedia News — Josh Kaul Wins Re-election as Wisconsin Attorney General