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.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has announced that he will not run for a third term, clearing the way for a Democratic primary