Tony Evers Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Tony Evers
Evers in 2022

46th Governor of Wisconsin
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2019
Lieutenant	Mandela Barnes Sara Rodriguez
Preceded by	Scott Walker
26th Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
In office July 6, 2009 – January 7, 2019
Governor	Jim Doyle Scott Walker
Preceded by	Elizabeth Burmaster
Succeeded by	Carolyn Stanford Taylor

Personal details
Born	Anthony Steven Evers (1951-11-05) November 5, 1951 (age 74) Plymouth, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kathy Noordyk (m. 1982)
Children	3
Education	University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA, MA, PhD)
Signature
Website

Anthony Steven Evers, known as Tony Evers, was born on November 5, 1951. He is an American politician and educator. Since 2019, he has served as the 46th Governor of Wisconsin. Before becoming governor, he was Wisconsin's 26th Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2009 to 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Tony Evers: Governor of Wisconsin

Early Life and Education

Tony Evers grew up in Plymouth, Wisconsin. His first job was helping with cheese production in Plymouth. As a young adult, he also worked as a caregiver in a nursing home. He attended Plymouth High School. He later studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned several degrees, including a Ph.D. in educational leadership.

Career in Education

Evers began his professional life as a teacher and media coordinator. He then became a school principal. Later, he served as a district superintendent in different school areas. He dedicated many years to working in education.

Leading Wisconsin's Schools

Evers first ran for the nonpartisan position of state Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1997 and 2001, but he did not win those elections. However, he was appointed as the deputy superintendent in 2001. He held this important role until 2009.

In 2009, he ran for Superintendent of Public Instruction again and won. He was reelected in 2013 and 2017. As Superintendent, he worked to improve schools across Wisconsin. He proposed increasing state funding for schools and for student mental health services. During his time as Superintendent, he faced a small fine for using government resources for campaign activities.

Becoming Governor

In August 2017, Tony Evers announced his decision to run for Governor of Wisconsin. He won the Democratic primary election in August 2018, beating several other candidates. In the general election on November 6, 2018, he narrowly defeated the sitting Republican Governor, Scott Walker.

Evers sought reelection in 2022. He ran with Sara Rodriguez as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. They won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Tim Michels. In July 2025, Governor Evers announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026.

As Governor of Wisconsin

As governor, Tony Evers has often used his veto power. This means he can stop bills passed by the Wisconsin Legislature, which is controlled by the Republican Party, from becoming law. He has used his veto power more frequently than any other governor in Wisconsin's history. He has also used a special "line-item veto" power to change specific parts of bills.

Working with the Legislature

Governor Evers has faced challenges from the state legislature regarding his powers. Before he took office, new laws were passed that aimed to limit the governor's authority. In 2024, Wisconsin voters rejected two proposed changes to the state's constitution. These changes would have limited the governor's control over state spending.

Responding to Public Health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Evers declared a public health emergency in Wisconsin. He ordered all schools in the state to close temporarily. He also issued a statewide "safer at home" order and later issued mask mandates to help slow the spread of the virus. These actions sometimes led to disagreements with the legislature and legal challenges.

Community Safety

After a difficult event in Kenosha, Governor Evers called for addressing police actions. He also deployed the Wisconsin National Guard to Kenosha to help keep peace and protect property during the unrest.

Key Decisions as Governor

In February 2019, Governor Evers withdrew Wisconsin National Guard forces from the border with Mexico. In 2023, he worked with the legislature to increase funding for local governments and schools. He used his line-item veto power to extend certain school funding increases for many years. In April 2025, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld this veto. He also helped secure funding to improve American Family Field, the home stadium for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.

What Governor Evers Believes In

Education Policies

Governor Evers supports more funding for K-12 education. He wants to expand early childhood education to all students. He also believes in keeping college tuition affordable for students in Wisconsin.

Fair Election Maps

Governor Evers has criticized how voting districts are drawn in Wisconsin, calling them "gerrymandered." This means districts are drawn unfairly to favor one political party. He created a nonpartisan commission to propose fairer maps for elections. In February 2024, he signed a new legislative map into law that was designed to be fairer.

Gun Safety Measures

He supports universal background checks for buying guns. He also supports laws that would allow temporary removal of guns from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others by a judge.

Health Care Access

Governor Evers believes in making health care more affordable and accessible for everyone. He wants to protect people from higher insurance costs due to age or existing health conditions. He also worked to reduce pollutants in Wisconsin's drinking water using federal funds.

Immigration Support

Evers supports allowing undocumented immigrants living in Wisconsin to obtain driver's licenses. He has also supported refugee communities, including the Hmong population in Wisconsin.

Taxes and State Infrastructure

During his campaign, Evers proposed cutting income taxes for middle-income Wisconsin residents. He has focused on improving roads and bridges across the state. In March 2024, he signed bipartisan bills to increase electric vehicle charging stations.

Personal Life

Tony Evers is married to Kathy Evers. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren. He faced a health challenge in 2008 but recovered after surgery.

Images for kids

Evers delivering the 2012 "State of Education Address" in the Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda
Evers in 2019, greeting a U.S. Air Force troop who was returning from service in Afghanistan

Tony Evers facts for kids

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