2022 Wisconsin Attorney General election

2022 Wisconsin Attorney General election

November 8, 2022
 
Nominee Josh Kaul Eric Toney
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,333,369 1,298,369
Percentage 50.64% 49.31%

Kaul:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Toney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No data

Attorney General before election

Josh Kaul
Democratic

Elected Attorney General

Josh Kaul
Democratic

The 2022 Wisconsin Attorney General election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul won re-election to a second term by a 1.33% margin. Party nominees were selected in a partisan primary on August 9, 2022.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Kaul (incumbent) 461,024 100.0%
Total votes 461,024 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements

Adam Jarchow

U.S. Representatives

State legislators

Sheriffs

Police chiefs

Local officials

Organizations

Individuals

Ryan Owens (withdrawn)

Federal officials

State Supreme Court Justices

State executive officials

Speakers of the Wisconsin Assembly

  • Ben Brancel, former speaker of the assembly (1997–1999)[29] (switched endorsement to Toney after Owens withdrew)
  • John Gard, former speaker of the assembly (2003–2007)[29] (switched endorsement to Toney after Owens withdrew)
  • Michael Huebsch, former speaker of the assembly (2007–2009)[29] (switched endorsement to Toney after Owens withdrew)

State legislators

Sheriffs

Eric Toney

U.S. Representatives

State Supreme Court Justices

State legislators

District attorneys

Local officials

Sheriffs

Police chiefs

Individuals

Organizations

Declined to endorse

Debate and virtual town hall

2022 Wisconsin Attorney General Republican primary debate and virtual town hall
No. Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Eric Toney Adam Jarchow Karen Mueller
1 Jul. 20, 2022 WISN (AM) Dan O'Donnell [46] P P P
2 Aug. 3, 2022 Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Scott Manley YouTube P P A

Results

Results by county
  Toney
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   60–70%
  Jarchow
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   60–70%
  Mueller
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
Republican primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eric Toney 222,902 37.43%
Republican Adam Jarchow 220,045 36.95%
Republican Karen Mueller 152,581 25.62%
Total votes 595,528 100.0%

General election

Debates

2022 Wisconsin Attorney General debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Republican
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Josh Kaul Eric Toney
1[47] Oct. 27, 2022 State Bar of Wisconsin
Wispolitics.com
WISC-TV
Eric Franke YouTube P P
2 Oct. 27, 2022 WISN-TV Matt Smith YouTube (Part 1)
YouTube (Part 2)
YouTube (Part 3)
YouTube (Part 4)
YouTube
P P

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[48] Tossup November 3, 2022
Elections Daily[49] Leans R (flip) November 7, 2022

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Josh
Kaul (D)
Eric
Toney (R)
Undecided
The Trafalgar Group (R)[50] November 2–4, 2022 1,095 (LV) ± 2.9% 47% 50% 3%

Results

2022 Wisconsin Attorney General election[51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Josh Kaul (incumbent) 1,333,369 50.64% +1.23%
Republican Eric Toney 1,298,369 49.31% +0.55%
Write-in 1,539 0.06% +0.01%
Total votes 2,633,277 100.00% N/A
Democratic hold

By county

County[52] Josh Kaul
Democratic
Eric Toney
Republican
Write-in
Various
Margin Total votes cast
# % # % # % # %
Adams 3,820 38.85% 6,004 61.07% 8 0.08% −2,184 −22.21% 9,832
Ashland 3,934 57.01% 2,961 42.91% 5 0.07% 973 14.10% 6,900
Barron 7,490 37.31% 12,578 62.65% 9 0.04% −5,088 −25.34% 20,077
Bayfield 5,238 56.84% 3,974 43.12% 4 0.04% 1,264 13.72% 9,216
Brown 53,165 46.96% 59,968 52.97% 80 0.07% −6,803 −6.01% 113,213
Buffalo 2,432 39.96% 3,653 60.02% 1 0.02% −1,221 −20.06% 6,086
Burnett 2,877 35.22% 5,291 64.78% 0 0.00% −2,414 −29.55% 8,168
Calumet 9,953 40.14% 14,834 59.82% 9 0.04% −4,881 −19.68% 24,796
Chippewa 12,252 42.29% 16,709 57.67% 12 0.04% −4,457 −15.38% 28,973
Clark 3,927 33.91% 7,649 66.05% 5 0.04% −3,722 −32.14% 11,581
Columbia 13,381 49.46% 13,655 50.47% 19 0.07% −274 −1.01% 27,055
Crawford 3,461 49.71% 3,500 50.27% 1 0.01% −39 −0.56% 6,962
Dane 229,828 76.94% 68,665 22.99% 228 0.08% 161,163 53.95% 298,721
Dodge 13,214 34.16% 25,464 65.84% 0 0.00% −12,250 −31.67% 38,678
Door 8,920 51.82% 8,286 48.14% 7 0.04% 634 3.68% 17,213
Douglas 10,324 55.88% 8,138 44.05% 12 0.06% 2,186 11.83% 18,474
Dunn 8,245 44.93% 10,107 55.07% 0 0.00% −1,862 −10.15% 18,352
Eau Claire 27,853 57.93% 20,196 42.00% 32 0.07% 7,657 15.93% 48,081
Florence 643 25.64% 1,865 74.36% 0 0.00% −1,222 −48.72% 2,508
Fond du Lac 16,159 35.01% 29,998 64.99% 4 0.01% −13,839 −29.98% 46,161
Forest 1,539 37.11% 2,608 62.89% 0 0.00% −1,069 −25.78% 4,147
Grant 8,675 43.61% 11,202 56.31% 15 0.08% −2,527 −12.70% 19,892
Green 9,000 51.85% 8,354 48.12% 5 0.03% 646 3.72% 17,359
Green Lake 2,796 32.32% 5,850 67.62% 5 0.06% −3,054 −35.30% 8,651
Iowa 6,621 57.28% 4,935 42.69% 4 0.03% 1,686 14.58% 11,560
Iron 1,252 38.63% 1,989 61.37% 0 0.00% −737 −22.74% 3,241
Jackson 3,589 45.05% 4,377 54.95% 0 0.00% −788 −9.89% 7,966
Jefferson 16,306 42.53% 22,015 57.42% 19 0.05% −5,709 −14.89% 38,340
Juneau 3,867 36.13% 6,829 63.80% 7 0.07% −2,962 −27.67% 10,703
Kenosha 31,808 48.63% 33,553 51.30% 45 0.07% −1,745 −2.67% 65,406
Kewaunee 3,602 36.52% 6,259 63.47% 1 0.01% −2,657 −26.94% 9,862
La Crosse 31,849 58.26% 22,789 41.68% 32 0.06% 9,060 16.57% 54,670
Lafayette 2,818 43.17% 3,710 56.83% 0 0.00% −892 −13.66% 6,528
Langlade 3,055 34.04% 5,920 65.96% 0 0.00% −2,865 −31.92% 8,975
Lincoln 5,360 40.15% 7,986 59.82% 4 0.03% −2,626 −19.67% 13,350
Manitowoc 14,294 40.15% 21,282 59.78% 26 0.07% −6,988 −19.63% 35,602
Marathon 25,339 41.33% 35,958 58.64% 18 0.03% −10,619 −17.32% 61,315
Marinette 6,219 33.73% 12,206 66.19% 15 0.08% −5,987 −32.47% 18,440
Marquette 2,595 35.61% 4,690 64.35% 3 0.04% −2,095 −28.75% 7,288
Menominee 938 77.84% 267 22.16% 0 0.00% 671 55.68% 1,205
Milwaukee 241,620 70.33% 101,577 29.57% 372 0.11% 140,043 40.76% 343,569
Monroe 7,016 40.62% 10,244 59.31% 11 0.06% −3,228 −18.69% 17,271
Oconto 6,038 31.11% 13,361 68.85% 7 0.04% −7,323 −37.74% 19,406
Oneida 8,771 43.57% 11,347 56.37% 13 0.06% −2,576 −12.80% 20,131
Outagamie 39,217 46.03% 45,975 53.97% 0 0.00% −6,758 −7.93% 85,192
Ozaukee 22,278 42.81% 29,727 57.12% 34 0.07% −7,449 −14.31% 52,039
Pepin 1,275 38.69% 2,020 61.31% 0 0.00% −745 −22.61% 3,295
Pierce 7,787 43.31% 10,184 56.64% 9 0.05% −2,397 −13.33% 17,980
Polk 7,406 36.26% 13,021 63.74% 0 0.00% −5,615 −27.49% 20,427
Portage 17,859 53.62% 15,430 46.33% 17 0.05% 2,429 7.29% 33,306
Price 2,678 38.13% 4,345 61.87% 0 0.00% −1,667 −23.74% 7,023
Racine 37,788 46.64% 43,145 53.26% 81 0.10% −5,357 −6.61% 81,014
Richland 3,245 46.52% 3,724 53.39% 6 0.09% −479 −6.87% 6,975
Rock 35,901 55.75% 28,450 44.18% 47 0.07% 7,451 11.57% 64,398
Rusk 2,280 35.81% 4,084 64.14% 3 0.05% −1,804 −28.33% 6,367
Sauk 14,705 51.26% 13,981 48.74% 0 0.00% 724 2.52% 28,686
Sawyer 3,634 42.63% 4,884 57.29% 7 0.08% −1,250 −14.66% 8,525
Shawano 5,933 33.25% 11,909 66.75% 0 0.00% −5,976 −33.49% 17,842
Sheboygan 21,987 41.52% 30,937 58.42% 36 0.07% −8,950 −16.90% 52,960
St. Croix 17,910 40.94% 25,815 59.01% 20 0.05% −7,905 −18.07% 43,745
Taylor 2,460 28.46% 6,183 71.54% 0 0.00% −3,723 −43.08% 8,643
Trempealeau 5,259 43.12% 6,928 56.81% 8 0.07% −1,669 −13.69% 12,195
Vernon 6,622 50.58% 6,460 49.35% 9 0.07% 162 1.24% 13,091
Vilas 5,098 38.77% 8,053 61.23% 0 0.00% −2,955 −22.47% 13,151
Walworth 17,989 39.42% 27,623 60.53% 26 0.06% −9,634 −21.11% 45,638
Washburn 3,144 37.79% 5,172 62.17% 3 0.04% −2,028 −24.38% 8,319
Washington 22,205 30.19% 51,344 69.81% 0 0.00% −29,139 −39.62% 73,549
Waukesha 84,882 38.23% 137,012 61.71% 119 0.05% −52,130 −23.48% 222,013
Waupaca 8,076 34.97% 15,009 64.99% 8 0.03% −6,933 −30.02% 23,093
Waushara 3,775 33.54% 7,480 66.46% 0 0.00% −3,705 −32.92% 11,255
Winnebago 36,119 48.88% 37,718 51.04% 57 0.08% −1,599 −2.16% 73,894
Wood 13,774 42.07% 18,953 57.89% 11 0.03% −5,179 −15.82% 32,738
Totals1,333,36950.64%1,298,36949.31%1,5390.06%35,0001.33%2,633,277
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

By congressional district

Despite losing the state, Toney won six of eight congressional districts.[53]

District Kaul Toney Representative
1st 49% 51% Bryan Steil
2nd 72% 28% Mark Pocan
3rd 49.5% 50.4% Ron Kind (117th Congress)
Derrick Van Orden (118th Congress)
4th 77% 23% Gwen Moore
5th 38% 62% Scott L. Fitzgerald
6th 42% 58% Glenn Grothman
7th 41% 59% Tom Tiffany
8th 43% 57% Mike Gallagher

See also

References

  1. ↑ Houdek, Grace (July 11, 2021). "Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announces re-election bid". www.channel3000.com. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  2. ↑ "PAC - Fair Wisconsin". Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Giffords Endorses Five Gun Safety Champion Attorneys General". Giffords. May 13, 2022. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Kaul Campaign: Human Rights Campaign endorses Josh Kaul for reelection as Attorney General of Wisconsin". Wispolitics.com. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Reproductive Freedom Champions for Attorney General in Colorado, Michigan, and Wisconsin" (25 January 2022). NARAL Pro-Choice America. January 25, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Kaul campaign: American Federation of Teachers Local 212 endorses Attorney General Josh Kaul for reelection". Wispolitics.com. June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Teamsters Joint Council 39 Endorses Josh Kaul for Wisconsin Attorney General". teamster.org. November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Wisconsin - UAW Endorsements". United Auto Workers. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Wisconsin AFL-CIO: Endorses Josh Kaul for reelection to attorney general in 2022". Wispolitics.com. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "2022 State and Federal Official Results". Wisconsin Elections Commission. May 18, 2022. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Fond Du Lac County Prosecutor Eric Toney Announces Run For Attorney General". www.wpr.org. Wisconsin Public Radio. April 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  12. ↑ Beck, Molly (November 10, 2021). "Republican primary for Wisconsin attorney general heats up - again". www.jsonline.cm. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Fall 2022 General Election". Wisconsin Elections Commission. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ White, Laurel (April 19, 2021). "Republican Law Professor Ryan Owens Enters Wisconsin Attorney General Race". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  15. ↑ Vetterkind, Riley (October 5, 2021). "UW-Madison professor Ryan Owens ends GOP bid for attorney general". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Ryan Owens: Why I support Adam Jarchow for attorney general". Wispolitics.com. August 3, 2022. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Curtis passes on AG bid". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Jarchow campaign: Announces over two dozen legislative endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. February 17, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  19. 1 2 Robinson, Lucas (March 17, 2022). "Adam Jarchow gains momentum in attorney general race, says he raised over $200,000". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 2, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Jarchow campaign: Announces endorsements from across Wisconsin". Wispolitics.com. June 29, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  21. 1 2 3 "Jarchow campaign: Jarchow adds to growing list of endorsements across Wisconsin". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Jarchow campaign: Announces law enforcement endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. February 9, 2022. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  23. ↑ "AFP backs Wisconsin Attorney General candidate Adam Jarchow". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. June 10, 2022. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Wisconsin Grades & Endorsements". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Jarchow campaign: Announces National Rifle Association endorsement". Wispolitics.com. July 11, 2022. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  26. 1 2 "Endorsed Candidates - Wisconsin Right to Life". wrtl.org. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Wisconsin Young Republicans: Announce election endorsements". May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Jarchow Campaign: Rock legend and freedom fighter Ted Nugent endorses Adam Jarchow for Wisconsin AG". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Eric Toney: AG Candidate Endorsed By More Than 50 Sheriffs, DAs". www.wisconsinrightnow.com. July 9, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Owens campaign: Announces legislative endorsements". Wispolitics.com. June 17, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Owens Campaign: Announces endorsements from majority leader Jim Steineke and Senator Duey Stroebel". Wispolitics.com. September 22, 2021. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Sheriff Eric Seveson Writes Letter Supporting Ryan Owens For AG". www.wisconsinrightnow.com. June 29, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Toney campaign: Rep. Grothman endorses Eric Toney for Attorney General". Wispolitics.com. July 12, 2022. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 "Toney campaign: Nabs Fox Valley endorsements; Sheriff Delain – Toney puts "victims before criminals"". Wispolitics.com. August 8, 2022. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  35. 1 2 "Toney campaign: Sen. Van Wanggaard, co. exec and clerk endorse Toney". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. March 31, 2022. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  36. 1 2 "Toney campaign: Announces kay endorsement from Shawano County Sheriff". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  37. 1 2 3 "Toney campaign: Receives endorsements from Sheriff Podoll". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. February 17, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Toney campaign: Hits milestone of 100 law enforcement endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. May 19, 2022. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Toney Campaign: Announces new DA endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. June 16, 2022. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Toney campaign: Endorsement from La Crosse County Sheriff Wolf". Wispolitics.com. October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Eric Toney: Endorsed by former president of Wisconsin Police Chief's Association". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. June 30, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Toney Campaign: Announces six new police chief endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Toney campaign: Former RPW chair, Walker advisor endorses candidate for AG". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. November 11, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  44. 1 2 3 "Toney campaign: Receives endorsement from Racine Police Association". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. December 8, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  45. ↑ Leischner, Mike (May 22, 2022). "No Endorsement From State Republicans in Governor's Race". www.wtaq.com. WTAQ. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  46. ↑
  47. ↑ "Kaul, Toney clash in final AG debate ahead of election". Wispolitics.com. October 28, 2022. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Secretary of State and Attorney General: What to Watch for Next Week in Key Statewide Contests". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  49. ↑ Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  50. ↑ The Trafalgar Group (R)
  51. ↑ Jacobs, Ann S. (November 30, 2022). "Statewide Summary Results" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 29, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  52. ↑ Jacobs, Ann S. (November 21, 2022). "County by County Report_Attorney General" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Ward by Ward Report by Congressional District - Attorney General". Wisconsin Elections Commission. 2022. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Spreadsheet download

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

Official campaign websites