Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday that he won't seek a third term, setting off a scramble to replace the two-term Democrat in the battleground state’s first open race for governor in 16 years.

The decision is likely to invite a wide-open race for the Democratic nomination in a battleground state the party hopes to control.

MADISON – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers entered office facing headwinds from a Legislature that sought to hobble his authority, and announced his departure just after signing a state budget passed with bipartisan support.