Former WEDC head Missy Hughes launches candidacy for governor

Missy Hughes, former Organic Valley executive and previous Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation head, announced her campaign for Wisconsin Governor to build a Main Street Economy that thrives for every worker, family, and business.

“I’m not a politician, and that’s the point,” Hughes said. “To create a prosperous economy for the future in all 72 counties, we need a leader who knows what it takes to create jobs, support workers, and attract businesses – and who rejects divisive politics that leaves so many behind. As your Governor, I’ll build a Main Street Economy where every Wisconsinite can get ahead with higher wages, affordable and accessible childcare and healthcare, housing that families can afford and count on, and strong public schools that prepare every child for the future.”

For 17 years Hughes led Organic Valley, helping the farmer-owned dairy cooperative grow to $1 billion in sales while keeping 1,600 family farmers on their land. She was then appointed by Governor Tony Evers to lead Wisconsin’s Economic Development Corporation. Under Hughes’s leadership, major companies like Milwaukee Tool, Microsoft, Eli Lilly, Kikkoman and more committed to invest over $10 billion and create 45,000 goodpaying jobs across Wisconsin. She helped more than 9,500 Wisconsinites start small businesses on Main Streets by launching the Main Street Bounceback Program. Hughes also led the push for Wisconsin to win U.S. Regional Technology Hub status, unlocking generational investment in biohealth and medicine expected to create 30,000 jobs. And she created the $100 million Wisconsin Investment Fund to ensure businesses born here can stay and grow here.

Hughes 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. Hughes has run eight marathons and grows beautiful dahlias.