Wisconsin Treasurer election, 2022

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Wisconsin Treasurer
Election details
	Filing deadline: June 1, 2022
	Primary: August 9, 2022; General: November 8, 2022; Pre-election incumbent(s):; Sarah Godlewski (Democratic)
How to vote
	Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Voting in Wisconsin
Ballotpedia analysis
	Federal and state primary competitiveness; State executive elections in 2022; Impact of term limits in 2022; State government trifectas; State government triplexes; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
Wisconsin; executive elections
	Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; Secretary of State; Treasurer

John Leiber (R) defeated Aaron Richardson (D) and Andrew Zuelke (Constitution Party) in the race for Wisconsin treasurer on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Sarah Godlewski (D) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Wisconsin. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 9, 2022.

Richardson was the mayor of Fitchburg, Wisconsin and previously served on the city council and on the Fitchburg Parks and Recreation Committee. His career experience includes working in tech support for the Oregon School District.^[1] Richardson said he would "ensure the investments we make as a state are done with intelligence, excellence and safely," and emphasized his experience as mayor, saying, "As Fitchburg Mayor, Aaron constantly has to balance the needs of the city with its financial limitations to make hard choices as the steward of an over $25 million operating budget and $100 million capital budget."^[2]

Leiber previously worked as a staffer for the Wisconsin State Legislature in both the Senate and Assembly. He also worked as a practicing attorney in Madison, Wisconsin.^[3] Lieber described himself as a fiscal conservative and said he would be an "advocate for fiscal restraint.”^[4] On his campaign website, Leiber said, "Inflation is at a record high and Wisconsin deserves a State Treasurer who will protect our investments now and in the future. We need a Treasurer who will focus on the actual duties of this office and keep government small. Rather than grow government and add new programs, I will carry out the duties of the Treasurer and advocate for saving your tax dollars."^[5]

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Ben Baker described the duties of the office as follows: "In Wisconsin, the state treasurer has one duty: to be a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which manages 80,000 acres and a $1.3 billion trust fund and dispenses budget-allocated funding to public schools. Treasurers promote Wisconsin's unclaimed property program — an initiative based on a state law that requires businesses to provide all unclaimed money to the Department of Revenue to assist Wisconsinites searching for unclaimed assets."^[4]

Since 1995, the duties of the state treasurer have gradually been eliminated or shifted to other state agencies. In order to amend the Wisconsin Constitution to eliminate the state treasurer's office, the state legislature must first approve an amendment in two successive legislative sessions. Following approval by the state legislature, voters must then approve the amendment through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.^[6]

Wisconsin Public Radio's Gaby Vinick said, "While the treasurer's office is as old as the state itself, it's been stripped of many of its duties over the past few decades. Whether that should continue to be the case is one of the defining issues of this year's campaign." Vinick added that "the candidates mostly differ on their views of the scope of the treasurer's office. Richardson wants to expand the office; Leiber does not."^[7]

Aaron Richardson (D) and John Leiber (R) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Wisconsin Treasurer

John Leiber defeated Aaron Richardson and Andrew Zuelke in the general election for Wisconsin Treasurer on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	John Leiber (R)	49.6	1,293,553
	Aaron Richardson (D)	48.1	1,254,949
	Andrew Zuelke (Constitution Party)	2.2	57,333
	Other/Write-in votes	0.0	1,268

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,607,103
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Aaron Richardson defeated Gillian Battino and Angelito Tenorio in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 9, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Aaron Richardson	38.4	168,905
	Gillian Battino	36.4	159,902
	Angelito Tenorio	25.2	111,012

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 439,819
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Dawn Marie Sass (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

John Leiber defeated Orlando Owens in the Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 9, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	John Leiber	65.8	357,384
	Orlando Owens	34.2	186,084

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 543,468
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Constitution primary election

Constitution primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Andrew Zuelke advanced from the Constitution primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 9, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Andrew Zuelke	92.4	230
	Other/Write-in votes	7.6	19

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 249
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Wisconsin

Election information in Wisconsin: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Nov. 4, 2022
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 19, 2022
Online: Oct. 19, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Nov. 6, 2022
By mail: Received by Nov. 3, 2022
Online: Nov. 3, 2022

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 25, 2022 to Nov. 6, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

John Leiber (R)

I'm a true fiscal conservative.

Sound financial management at the state level is critical to taxpayer success.

This office doesn't need to be expanded. The only employee is the Treasurer, and I'm equipped to handle the job.

Aaron Richardson (D)

Providing financial literacy education to residents of Wisconsin.

Provide more opportunities for residents to become homeowners.

Allow residents with unclaimed property to donate it instead of getting it back if they wish.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

John Leiber (R)

Sound fiscal management and small government.

Aaron Richardson (D)

Home ownership is the biggest issue for me. Treasurer Godlewski has done a great job on this and I will continue her work with some additional options. Home ownership is something that should be attainable for anyone that wants it. I am piloting an ownership program in Fitchburg best described in one sentence as a rent-to-own program.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

John Leiber (R)

The Office of the Treasurer was created in Wisconsin's first State Constitution. This office is the only one which focuses solely on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and its trust fund.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

John Leiber (R)

Reliability, responsibility, and fiscal conservatism.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

John Leiber (R)

Being an effective member of a board and having a proven work ethic.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

John Leiber (R)

Serving on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands and managing the trust fund.

Aaron Richardson (D)

Ensuring we have safe investments for the many people counting on those investments for their retirement is critical as well as continuing to provide ways to increase home ownership in the state.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

John Leiber (R)

Because only one person staffs the office, the Treasurer, it's crucial to choose a person with a strong professional ethic who will be responsible and accountable for the entire 4-year term.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

John Leiber (R)

Yes, particularly since the only employee is the Treasurer. There is not staff. Understanding the mission of this office, how to interact with the legislature and executive branch, and being a skilled financial manager are all beneficial to best serve taxpayers as Treasurer.

Aaron Richardson (D)

Absolutely! I am currently the Mayor of Fitchburg and that experience is critical for a role like this. I am responsible for putting together our $25 million budget. I regularly meet with community and business leaders. I also have to sometimes tell people no, which is important.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

John Leiber (R)

The most important skills and expertise for this position include having board membership experience, since the Treasurer is one of 3 commissioners on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. It's also important to understand how financial investments work to best manage these assets for the future.

Aaron Richardson (D)

Experience as an elected leader that is the face of a community. There is a huge difference between a role like Mayor and a role like city council alder. I know, I have been both. The leadership, public speaking and need to work with people throughout the community are things that I do regularly and are essential for this position.

Campaign data