Update: Mandela Barnes has withdrawn from the Democratic primary for governor (July 30, 2026) →
BadgerBrief
Español
← Governor of Wisconsin
Missy Hughes

Photo: Ballotpedia

Missy Hughes

DemocraticSuspended

Former WEDC CEO

ⓘ What do the party and ideology labels mean?

On the ballot, partisan candidates run under a party — in Wisconsin almost always Democratic or Republican, with the occasional third-party or independent candidate. Words like progressive, conservative, libertarian, or democratic socialist are labels people use to describe themselves, not separate parties on the ballot. A label is a starting point; each candidate's sourced positions show where they actually stand.

How we do this →

What is Missy Hughes running for?

Missy Hughes is on the ballot for Governor of Wisconsin in the August 11, 2026 Wisconsin partisan primary. 10 other candidates are on the ballot.

Also on this ballot

Who is Missy Hughes?

Stepped down from leading the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to run for governor; previously an executive in the dairy industry

Where does Missy Hughes stand on the issues?

ⓘ What do these stance labels mean?

Each label describes how a candidate has spoken about an issue, drawn from a sourced statement — not our opinion. Support and oppose mean they've clearly taken that side. Mixed means their statements point both ways. Evolving means their stated position has changed over time. Unclear means we couldn't find a clear public statement. Every label links to the source it came from.

How we do this →
ⓘ Sourced position vs. campaign claim — what's the difference?

A sourced position is something we tied to a specific public statement, with a link. A campaign claim is what a candidate's own site says about their priorities. We keep them separate so you can see the difference between a documented stance and a self-description.

How we do this →
economy-jobssupport

Hughes centers her campaign on building what she calls a 'Main Street economy' and cites her record leading Wisconsin's economic development agency, attracting business investment, and helping create jobs across all 72 counties.

Position sources (1)
educationsupport

Hughes proposes expanding the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program to more families and instituting child care workforce measures including raising wages and training programs.

Position sources (1)
ⓘ How do I read these campaign-finance numbers?

Individual contributions come from people; PAC (political action committee) money comes from organized groups. Cash-on-hand is what a campaign has left to spend. Money shows who is backing a campaign — it is not an endorsement by us, and more money does not mean a candidate is better.

How we do this →

Top reported contributors

  • John Brogan (Green Bay)$6,100
  • Christopher Coulter (Williams Bay)$5,000
  • Samantha Sackin (La Farge)$5,000
  • Butch Vig (Los Angeles)$5,000
  • Aimee Larkin (Southampton)$5,000
Show 5 more
  • Kathi P. Seifert (Appleton)$5,000
  • Barb Worcester (Madison)$3,000
  • Thomas K Flanagan (Kiawah Island)$2,500
  • Felipe Obando (Philadelphia)$2,500
  • Amos Hostetter (Boston)$2,500

Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use

Where the money comes from

Funding mix by source type
Individuals100%$148,439523 donors
15% from donations under $200 (348 donors)
  • under $200$21,668 · 348 donors
  • $200–$999$46,021 · 138 donors
  • $1,000 and up$80,750 · 37 donors

Individual donors only, grouped by each donor's total

62% from Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin$92,177 · 357 donors
  • Out of state$56,217 · 165 donors
  • Unknown$45 · 1 donors

Individuals and businesses; committees excluded

Monthly fundraising

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Monthly fundraising totals
2026-01$15,796
2026-02$25,463
2026-03$18,029
2026-04$26,372
2026-05$35,419
2026-06$27,360

Itemized contributions, filings through Aug 3, 2026 · Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine)

Political ads about Missy Hughes

Ads a BadgerBrief editor confirmed are about Missy Hughes, from the Meta Ad Library. Spend is the range Meta discloses.

Supporting ~$695 · 10 ads
  • Support$100–$199

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Wisconsinites want to get things done. I was the only candidate for governor to support Governor Evers’ deal to get money to our schools and relief to families. As Governor, I’ll never let politics get in the way of results.

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$100–$199

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Wisconsinites want to get things done. I was the only candidate for governor to support Governor Evers’ deal to get money to our schools and relief to families. As Governor, I’ll never let politics get in the way of results.

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Donald Trump has devastated Wisconsin’s farmers with reckless tariffs and a war of choice in Iran that has sent diesel prices skyrocketing. I’m proud to be in Eau Claire today to join hundreds of Wisconsinites exposing his attacks on our farmers.

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Donald Trump has devastated Wisconsin’s farmers with reckless tariffs and a war of choice in Iran that has sent diesel prices skyrocketing. I’m proud to be in Eau Claire today to join hundreds of Wisconsinites exposing his attacks on our farmers.

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    It was the honor of my life to work for the farmers during my 17 years at @OrganicValley. Thank you to my friend Luke (@ForeverForwardWis) for a great conversation on Wisconsin’s agriculture industry. #MissyForWI #OrganicValley #WisconsinAgriculture #WisconsinFarmers #WisconsinFarm

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    It was the honor of my life to work for the farmers during my 17 years at Organic Valley. Thank you to my friend Luke for a great conversation on Wisconsin's agriculture industry. #MissyForWI #OrganicValley

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Now more than ever, Wisconsin needs to be on our strongest footing so we’re ready to rebuild from the chaos of Trump and his sidekick, Tom Tiffany. This is why I’m running for Governor, we need a leader with proven experience to strengthen our economy so we can move Wisconsin forward. #MissyForWI

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Steve Scaffidi (@ocscaffidi) and @KristinBrey discuss Wisconsin’s failed bipartisan bill with @JoeZepecki on @620WTMJ’s Point Taken (May 15, 2026).

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey discuss Wisconsin's failed bipartisan bill with Joe Zepecki on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Point Taken (May 15, 2026).

    View ad on Meta ↗
  • Support$0–$99

    Missy Hughes

    Paid for by MISSY FOR GOVERNOR

    I’ve been hitting the streets, collecting signatures to get on the ballot! But I need your support, sign up to get my official nomination form sent to you: MissyForGovernor.com/ballot #MissyForWI

    View ad on Meta ↗

In the news about Missy Hughes

Coverage a BadgerBrief editor reviewed and confirmed belongs here. We link out — we don’t summarize. How we handle coverage ↗

Sources

Last updated:

Suggest a source · Flag a gap

Share on XShare on FacebookShare on BlueskyEmail