Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced he will seek a third term as the state's top prosecutor rather than run for governor, potentially opening a bigger door for former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes to enter the 2026 race.

Kaul, who has won two statewide elections and would have been considered a front runner in the gubernatorial contest, said in a statement he wants to remain as attorney general to "stand up for our freedoms and the rule of law."

Kaul's decision is an opportunity for Barnes, who narrowly lost a bruising U.S. Senate campaign in 2022 to Senator Ron Johnson by 26,000 votes or one percent.

"I'm strongly considering entering the race for Governor," Barnes said. "I've been blown away by the number of people across the state who have reached out and asked me

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