Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Sworn Into 2nd Term At Inaugural Celebration

WISCONSIN — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers saw his second inauguration celebration alongside several other elected officials on Tuesday.

In their remarks Tuesday, Evers and newly elected Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, both Democrats, spoke of access to abortion, gun violence and other hot-button issues. Both also spoke about protecting democracy.

"To the Wisconsinites who showed up, turned out, and used their vote and their voice to protect democracy, to defend basic human and civil rights, and to show that there is far, far more that unites us than divides us," said Rodriguez's prepared remarks, "thank you. I will strive every day to make you proud of your state."

The Democrats' successful bid in November to maintain Wisconsin's governorship — avoiding a Republican trifecta — came alongside an unsuccessful bid by the party to oust the state's Republican U.S. Senator. Democrat Mandela Barnes, who was elected as Lt. Gov. alongside Evers in 2018, lost in the 2022 statewide election to Ron Johnson.

"Wisconsin rejected a trajectory bent toward permanently undermining the tenets and institutions that are fundamental to who we are as a people," said Evers in prepared remarks of the 2022 fall election. "Wisconsin rejected a rhetoric born out of apathy and animosity toward our neighbors. And Wisconsin rejected a return to the bitter politics of resentment."

Attorney General Josh Kaul was also sworn into another term on Tuesday.

"In rural, suburban, and urban communities—in our biggest cities and small towns alike—Wisconsinites want their families to be safe from crime, want their kids to go to good schools, want to be safe drinking the water from the tap, want health care to be accessible and affordable, and don’t want our freedoms to be taken away," said Kaul's prepared remarks. "Over the course of our history, Wisconsin has been a leader. And it’s time for us to lead the way again."

Evers and Rodriguez also spoke about funding public schools in Wisconsin, "commonsense" gun reform, climate change and sustainable infrastructure.

"We need generational, transformative improvements as to how we invest in our local communities and keep them safe—and to ensure they can respond to basic and unique needs alike," said Evers. "So, let’s keep working together on a plan. Because while one person alone cannot right the disinvestment local communities have seen over the last decade, together we will."

"We all know the challenges that have plagued our state’s workforce for a decade. Wisconsin must be able to compete to bring more talented workers to our state, most especially to address our healthcare workforce shortage," said Evers remarks. "So, we have to keep investing in good roads and infrastructure, good schools, and good healthcare. And together we will."

You can watch the inauguration streamed on Gov. Evers' Youtube channel below:

Evers' full prepared remarks can be found in a news release online.

Rodriguez's full prepared remarks can be found in a news release online.