Missy Hughes Raises More Than $200,000 in Under 24 Hours – Best First Day of Any 2026 Democratic Candidate for WI Governor

Support Surges for Missy’s Main Street Economy Vision for Wisconsin

Delivering for Wisconsin Workers, Families and Businesses in All 72 Counties

Former Dairy Industry Leader and Previous Head of Wisconsin’s Economic Development Agency Isn’t a Politician — and That’s the Point

Viroqua, WI – Democrat Missy Hughes raised over $207,000 in less than 24 hours of the launch of her campaign for governor, marking the largest first-day total fundraising haul of any Democratic candidate in the 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race.

”This incredible early support shows Wisconsinites are ready for a governor who understands the economy, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and fight for working and middle class families,” Missy said. “Our campaign is about building a Main Street economy that works for everyone, and I’m humbled that so many people are stepping up to make that possible.”

The fundraising surge follows the launch of Hughes’ campaign video, which highlights her record of growing Wisconsin businesses, keeping family farmers on their land, and helping create thousands of jobs across all 72 counties as head of the state’s economic development agency.

For 17 years, Missy served as an executive at Organic Valley, helping the farmer-owned dairy cooperative grow to $1 billion in sales while keeping 1,600 family farmers on their land. She understands Wisconsin agriculture inside and out, and knows what it takes for rural communities to prosper. She was then appointed by Governor Tony Evers to lead Wisconsin’s Economic Development Corporation. Under Missy’s leadership, major companies like Milwaukee Tool, Microsoft, Eli Lilly, Kikkoman and more committed to invest over $10 billion and create 45,000 good-paying jobs across Wisconsin. She helped more than 9,500 Wisconsinites start small businesses on Main Streets across all 72 counties, launching the Main Street Bounceback Program which filled empty storefronts with small businesses like coffee shops, art studios, and barber shops. And she’s prepared Wisconsin for the future. Missy led the push to win U.S. Regional Technology Hub status, unlocking a generational investment in biohealth and medicine expected to create 30,000 jobs. She also created the $100 million Wisconsin Investment Fund to ensure businesses born here can stay and grow here.

Missy is a proud mom of three. She currently lives in Southwestern Wisconsin just outside of Viroqua with her husband Tripp, their dogs, two donkeys, and a flock of seventy sheep. Missy has run eight marathons and grows beautiful dahlias.

For more information, please visit http://missyforgovernor.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.