When Brad Schimel's Term as Wisconsin Attorney General Ended and What Happened Next

Brad Schimel's appointment as Wisconsin Attorney General expired on January 5, 2019

Brad Schimel served as Wisconsin's Attorney General from January 2015 through January 5, 2019, when his single four-year term ended. He did not seek reelection. Josh Kaul, the Democratic candidate, won the 2018 election and took office on the expiration date of Schimel's term. The transition was automatic under Wisconsin law — when one Attorney General's term expires, the newly elected Attorney General is sworn in the same day.

Wisconsin's Attorney General serves a four-year term with no term limits written into state law, meaning a person could run for reelection multiple times. Schimel chose not to run again after his first term, making the 2018 election an open race for the office. This decision gave the Republican Party time to recruit a replacement candidate and allowed voters to choose between new options rather than deciding whether to keep an incumbent.

Key Takeaways

• Brad Schimel's term as Wisconsin Attorney General ended on January 5, 2019, after serving one four-year term that began in January 2015.
• Wisconsin's Attorney General is elected statewide and serves a four-year term with no constitutional limit on how many terms a person can serve.
• Schimel did not run for reelection in 2018, leaving the office open for a new candidate to compete for the position.
• Josh Kaul won the 2018 election and took office when Schimel's term expired on January 5, 2019, with no gap in the office's leadership.
• The expiration of Schimel's term followed Wisconsin's standard election cycle for statewide offices, held every four years in even-numbered years.

How Wisconsin Attorney General terms work

The Wisconsin Attorney General is a statewide elected office. Voters across the entire state cast ballots for this position during general elections held in even-numbered years. The winner serves a four-year term beginning in January of the year following the election. This means an election held in November determines who will take office the following January.

Unlike some other elected offices in Wisconsin, the Attorney General position has no term limits. A person who wins election can run again after their term ends, and theoretically could serve many consecutive terms. However, individual candidates choose whether to seek reelection based on their own plans and political circumstances. The office handles a wide range of legal matters affecting the state, from consumer protection to litigation on behalf of state agencies.

The four-year term ensures that Wisconsin voters have a regular opportunity to review the Attorney General's record and decide whether to keep that person in office or elect someone new. This cycle has remained consistent across many election cycles and is set by Wisconsin state law.

What happened after Schimel's term ended

Josh Kaul, a Democrat, defeated Republican Eric Toney in the 2018 election for Attorney General. Kaul took office on January 5, 2019, the same day Schimel's term expired. Kaul served as Attorney General through 2022 and ran for reelection that year, winning a second term. The transition between administrations follows Wisconsin law, which requires the outgoing Attorney General to leave office and the incoming Attorney General to be sworn in on the same date.

This ensures there is no gap in who holds the office and no period where the state lacks an Attorney General. The smooth handoff is part of Wisconsin's standard process for all statewide elected offices. When Kaul took over, he inherited ongoing cases, staff, and the full range of responsibilities that come with the office.

The 2018 election that ended Schimel's tenure

The 2018 Wisconsin election for Attorney General took place on November 6, 2018. Schimel, the Republican incumbent, chose not to run for another term. This made the race an open contest between Josh Kaul (Democrat) and Eric Toney (Republican). An open race — one without an incumbent running — often draws more attention and gives both parties a chance to present new candidates to voters.

Kaul won with approximately 53 percent of the vote to Toney's 47 percent. The election drew significant attention because it was one of several statewide races in Wisconsin that year, and the Attorney General's office handles a range of legal matters affecting the state, from environmental law to consumer protection. The outcome reflected voter preferences at a time when Wisconsin was closely divided between Republican and Democratic voters.

Why Schimel did not seek reelection

Schimel did not publicly announce a specific reason for stepping down after one term. His decision to leave office after 2018 was announced well in advance, giving the Republican Party time to recruit a candidate for the open race. This advance notice is typical when elected officials decide not to run again — it allows their party to plan and find a replacement.

Choosing not to run for reelection is a common path for elected officials at all levels. Some leave office to pursue other work, some decide one term is enough, and some step aside to allow new candidates to run. Schimel's decision followed this pattern. After leaving the Attorney General's office, he pursued other professional opportunities, including work in the private sector and involvement in Republican politics at the state level.

Understanding Wisconsin's election cycle for statewide offices

Wisconsin holds elections for statewide offices — including Attorney General, Governor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer — in even-numbered years. The next election after 2018 was held in 2022, when Josh Kaul ran for reelection to his own second term. The pattern continues: 2026, 2030, and beyond, with each election determining who will serve the next four years.

The four-year term means that Wisconsin voters choose their Attorney General every four years, and the transition between administrations always happens in January following the election. This schedule is set by Wisconsin state law and has remained consistent across many election cycles. Understanding this cycle helps explain why Schimel's term ended when it did and why the 2018 election was the moment when voters decided who would hold the office next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Wisconsin's Attorney General serve more than one term?

Yes. Wisconsin law does not limit how many terms an Attorney General can serve. A person could theoretically serve many consecutive four-year terms if voters reelected them each time. However, individual candidates decide whether to run for reelection based on their own circumstances and goals.

Who became Attorney General after Brad Schimel?

Josh Kaul, a Democrat, won the 2018 election and took office on January 5, 2019, when Schimel's term ended. Kaul served as Attorney General through his first term and ran for reelection in 2022, winning a second term.

When do Wisconsin voters elect a new Attorney General?

Wisconsin holds elections for Attorney General in even-numbered years — 2018, 2022, 2026, and so on. The person elected takes office in January of the following year and serves a four-year term. This schedule is set by state law and applies to all statewide elected offices.

Why did Schimel leave office after one term?

Schimel did not publicly state a specific reason for not seeking reelection in 2018. Elected officials sometimes choose to step down after one term for personal, professional, or political reasons. His decision was announced in advance, allowing his party to recruit a replacement candidate.

What is the Attorney General's role in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer. The office handles consumer protection cases, environmental law, litigation on behalf of state agencies, and other legal matters affecting Wisconsin. The Attorney General also oversees the Department of Justice and its staff of attorneys and investigators.