Latest news with #Schoemann
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican Josh Schoemann criticizes Evers, says he'll ‘outwork' others in governor's race
Schoemann spoke at the Dane County Republican's monthly 'Pints and Politics' meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann stepped up to the front of a room in the back of Kavanaugh's Esquire Club on the east side of Madison with a grin and quickly started a chant about Gov. Tony Evers. 'Tony's got to go. Who's with me?' Schoemann said about the current second-term Democratic governor. He encouraged others in the room to join him. 'Tony's gotta go… Tony's gotta go. I'd like him to hear it if you don't mind.' The crowd of about 30 clapped enthusiastically and slowly started to pick up the chant. Schoemann, who wore a red UW-Madison quarter zip up, jeans and a camo hat with his campaign logo across the front, was at the restaurant for the Dane County Republican's monthly 'Pints and Politics' meeting. It's the one of the latest stops for Schoemann, who is the first candidate of either major party to launch his campaign in the 2026 governor's race. Evers' decision on whether he will seek a third term is still up in the air. He recently told WisEye that he is 'not spending very much time at all thinking about whether I'm going to run or not.' With about 14 months before a Republican primary might be held, Schoemann is working to get a head start on other potential candidates. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is mulling a run for the office, was critical of Evers as he addressed party members at the state GOP's annual convention. Bill Berrien, a Whitefish Bay businessman and Navy SEAL veteran, recently formed a political action committee. Schoemann said that it's 'entirely possible' for Wisconsin to be more competitive for Republicans. He launches his campaign as the Republican Party of Wisconsin is reevaluating how to win after their preferred candidate lost in the state Supreme Court race and as Democrats have won 12 of the last 15 statewide elections. Schoemann sought to start his 'Tony' chant a couple times as he spoke to the group — at one point telling attendees that he is the son of a Lutheran Minister and 'can't handle a congregation unless they join with me.' The crowd joined the chant more quickly this time, but Schoemann cut it off quickly as he pulled his camo hat off and placed it over his heart and encouraged attendees to stand up to sing 'My Country, 'Tis of Thee' with him. Schoemann has worked in Washington County as the elected county executive for the last five years and as the county administrator for six years prior. He owns a farm in the town of Trenton, located between West Bend and Grafton, with his wife and is the father of two. Schoemann told attendees that he joined the Army National Guard, attended UW-Whitewater and then served in Iraq in 2003. Throughout the event, Schoemann returned to his faith and military service, telling the crowd that 'love your neighbor' has been central to his work and will be central to his campaign. 'It's changed the trajectory of my life permanently,' Schoemann said, describing a memory of his time in Iraq when he gave bottles of water to a child who was drinking from a puddle. 'As he approaches the puddle, I'm thinking, 'Oh, he's just going to jump around in the puddle and play.' He kneels down, and starts cupping his hands and starts drinking out of that puddle,' Schoemann said. 'When I came back home, that moment kept coming back to me over and over and over, and I dedicated the rest of my life to the service and sacrifice of the guys and gals who didn't come home, either in whole or in part, and of my Lord, Jesus, by loving my neighbor,' he continued, ' and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we are going to win this election. We are going to turn Wisconsin red by loving our neighborhood.' Schoemann said he grew up a 'Rush Limbaugh' and 'Ronald Reagan baby' — with beliefs in smaller government, lower taxes and strong defense — and that those ideas have shaped his service in local government. Schoemann repeatedly criticized Evers and spoke about his record. 'Under the education governor, are your schools better than they were six years ago?' Schoemann asked, with answers of 'no' coming from some in the room. 'He's filling potholes right now — getting his picture taken in every community can get to… Are your roads really all that much better than they were six years ago? No, no. They're not, and if you look across the state of Wisconsin on every issue issue after issue, things aren't better.' Evers has been traveling across the state last week helping fill potholes as a part of an annual effort to call attention to the issue of improving the roads and his recent budget proposal of to dedicate funds for that purpose — though Republicans have removed that from the budget. At one stop on his trip, Evers told reporters that he didn't know much about Schoemann but thinks he's 'gonna have to be another Donald Trump.' 'That's the only way Republicans can kind of move forward in this day and age,' Evers said, according to WSAW-TV 7. Schoemann said that he decided to run because he is 'sick and tired of our kids, leaving the state for other opportunities in different states and not coming back' and 'sick and tired of our retirees leaving this state that has become a complete tax hell.' Schoemann also compared himself to former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. 'Back when I was a kid in 1986, Tommy Thompson took out another Tony — [former Gov.] Tony Earl. A young, energetic Republican did very, very well in Dane County, and eventually by 1994, I believe he won Dane County,' said Schoemann, who is 43. Thompson is the last Wisconsin governor to win a third term in office, and Schoemann wants to ensure that stays true by taking a page out of Thompson's playbook. Schoemann said he would have three rules for his campaign: go to the Northwoods, go to Milwaukee and go to Dane County. He said that since his campaign launched he had visited Florence County to talk with a group of people, who, he said, likely 'hadn't seen a statewide elected official in decades,' had been on the radio in Milwaukee and his Tuesday evening stop in Madison was his second already. Schoemann said Republicans need to lose by less in Dane County, pointing out that President Donald Trump won the state of Wisconsin with nearly 23% of the vote in the deep blue county. 'We've got to be pushing back towards 26, 27, 28[%], and we're only going to do it by having conversations with our neighbors and physically being present,' Schoemann said. 'I can tell you you're going to get sick of seeing me because I will be back again and again and again. I want to hear from you what this state needs to be. I want to hear from you what direction the state needs to go.' Schoemann then took questions from the audience. One attendee asked about what he would do about property taxes. Local communities across the state have been strapped for funds in recent years due to restrictions in the ways that they can raise revenue with many turning to raising property taxes through referendums to help afford services. 'How many of you live in the city of Madison? How are you liking that new referendum for the school district and the city — one-two punch?' Schoemann replied. He added that property tax rates in Washington Co. are low because of decisions he's made. He said that at times when they have 'considered alternatives where we needed additional resources, we go to the people and ask.' The county went to referendum in 2024 to help prevent cuts to its public safety services. While the referendum failed, a deal on shared revenue and a local sales tax for Milwaukee that lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers made helped the county avoid the cuts. That deal led to a back and forth over social media between Schoemann and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson after Schoemann took a jab at the city because of the tax. Milwaukee leaders were prominent advocates in helping secure the state funding, which has helped communities across the state, including Washington County. In response to a question about elections, Schoemann said that he believes in purging voter rolls, banning voting events including 'Democracy in the Park' — a COVID-era effort held by the city of Madison where poll workers picked up absentee ballots from voters who dropped them off — and having 'significant election integrity' measures. He also talked about promoting early voting in more rural areas. 'The clerks are part time, most of them work out of their houses. They don't have an office at the town hall… In those places. If you want to have in-person absentee voting, you have to schedule an appointment at the home of the clerk. In Madison and in Milwaukee… the convenience level is through the roof right now,' Schoemann said. 'It's not quite seven days a week, 24 hours a day for those 13 days, but it isn't far either, especially as compared to those towns.' Schoemann said his county sought to incentivize local municipal workers to add in-person absentee voting days and times by paying them 150% of the cost. He said the state needs to 'completely transform how we think about elections in Wisconsin.' Schoemann segued to criticizing Evers for his relationship with lawmakers and the number of bills he has vetoed, saying changes in law need to come as the result of the governor working as a 'coequal' branch with the Legislature. He said that the governor should work with bills before outright vetoing them. 'The fact that this governor doesn't have the leadership capability to walk down the hallway and talk to legislative leaders is an embarrassment to our state,' Schoemann said, referring to communication difficulties between lawmakers and Evers, who are currently negotiating the next state budget. Schoemann said that he wouldn't want to 'throw money' to help address education problems, though he thinks the system currently in place is outdated. He also said that he would seek to help change the veto power that governors have. This will be the first time Schoemann runs in a statewide election. He promised the room that no one would 'outwork' him. 'There might be more money. There might be worse press, there might be all kinds of things, but no one will outwork me,' Schoemann said. In the weeks before deciding to run, Schoemann told the room that he asked his wife if she was sure she wanted him to run. 'You know what she said to me?' Schoemann asked. ''Well, can't be worse than Iraq.'' 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Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wisconsin governor race; Republican Josh Schoemann announces campaign
The Brief Josh Schoemann, a Republican and Washington County Executive, has announced his campaign to run for Wisconsin governor in 2026. Democratic Governor Tony Evers has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election, stating he will decide after the state budget is finalized. Schoemann will seek the Republican nomination in what's expected to be a competitive gubernatorial election in 2026. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Wis. - Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann officially launched his campaign for governor on Sunday with a campaign rally near his home in West Bend. What we know Schoeman, a Republican, focused his speech on public service, affordability and local reform. He was joined by family, friends, supporters and local officials as he laid out his plans for Wisconsin's future. "Our parents and grandparents can't afford to retire here," Schoeman said. "Let's reclaim Wisconsin… Forward. Together." Schoemann touted his record as county executive, including property tax collections, cutting staff by nearly 25%, and reforming housing and election polices. Schoemann will seek the Republican nomination in what's expected to be a competitive gubernatorial election in 2026. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The other side Democratic Governor Tony Evers has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election, stating he will decide after the state budget is finalized. Evers has repeatedly said he will announce his intentions after the state budget is passed and signed into law, which typically happens around early July. The Source Information in this post is provided by Josh Schoemann's team.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann kicks off GOP 2026 campaign for governor
The race for Wisconsin's next governor is under way 18 months before voters will go to the polls, with Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann launching the first campaign. Schoemann, a Republican who filed his campaign paperwork days ago, launched his bid May 4 with a campaign video focused on his biography. He is scheduled to hold a "summer kickoff cookout" in West Bend later this afternoon at event venue Elderberry Manor. The 43-year-old Washington County native in his launch video pitches a theme of being "neighbors" with voters and argues the governor's office needs leaders who will "roll up their sleeves, bring people together and do the hard work of building a brighter future for Wisconsin." "I'm tired of watching generations of our young people and our retirees leave the state for greener pastures," Schoemann says in the video. "I'll fight to make Wisconsin the best state in the nation to live, work, raise a family, be retired and start a business. So our state becomes a great place to be, not just be from." Schoemann enters the race for governor not knowing who his potential Democratic opponent will be, should he prevail in a GOP primary. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet said whether he will seek a third term in the election 18 months from now. President Donald Trump was not mentioned in Schoemann's video but Schoemann campaigned heavily on his behalf during the 2024 presidential race. The GOP primary for governor will focus heavily on who can turn out Trump supporters who have been less inclined to vote in non-presidential elections. Schoemann, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who lives in West Bend, was first elected county executive in 2020 after holding the jobs of county administrator and county manager for six years. Washington County remains a reliable Republican stronghold in metropolitan Milwaukee as other suburban communities have trended away from GOP dominance. More: How much did Elon Musk spend on Wisconsin Supreme Court race and answers to other questions According to his biography on the Washington County website, Schoemann earned an Army Commendation Medal and received an honorable discharge in October 2008 from the Army National Guard. Schoemann's filing comes two weeks after Bill Berrien, a Whitefish Bay manufacturing businessman, launched a political action committee as he considers a run for governor. Berrien is a Navy SEAL veteran and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision in New Berlin. Also considering campaigns for governor is U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican from Minocqua who represents the 7th Congressional District. Alexander Kent of La Crosse also registered a campaign for governor this week as an independent candidate, according to state campaign finance records. Kent registered the committee under the name "Voter Directed Democracy," which is also the title of a book he authored. Molly Beck can be reached at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Republican Josh Schoemann launches bid for governor
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wisconsin governor race; Republican Josh Schoemann files for 2026 run
The Brief Josh Schoemann, a Republican and Washington County Executive, has formed a committee to run for Wisconsin governor in 2026. He is unlikely to be the only Republican candidate. Democratic Governor Tony Evers has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election, stating he will decide after the state budget is finalized. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Wis. - Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, a Republican, this week created a committee to run for governor in 2026, making him the first candidate from either major party to get into the race. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet said whether he will seek a third term. Evers has repeatedly said he will announce his intentions after the state budget is passed and signed into law, which typically happens around early July. A spokesperson for Evers had no immediate comment. Schoemann, 43, filed to create a campaign committee on Wednesday. He is the executive of Washington County, one of the deepest red counties in Wisconsin, which President Donald Trump won with 67% of the vote in 2024. Schoemann has never run a statewide race before and is unlikely to be the only Republican candidate in the election that is 19 months away. What we know Bill Berrien, a Whitefish Bay manufacturing businessman, created a political action committee two weeks ago as he also considers a run. Berrien is a Navy SEAL veteran and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision in New Berlin. Others mentioned as potential candidates include U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents northern Wisconsin, and two-time losing U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde, a Madison businessman. What's next Schoemann was elected as county executive in 2020 after previously working six years as county administrator and county manager. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and received an honorable discharge in October 2008 from the Army National Guard, according to his biography on the county website. Schoemann has a "historic summer kickoff cookout" scheduled for Sunday in West Bend where he is expected to formally announce his candidacy. Ben Voelkel, a Schoemann spokesperson, declined to comment Thursday when asked if Schoemann would be launching his run on Sunday. To learn more about Josh Schoemann in his county executive role, click here. The 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. What they're saying "The Republican primary for governor is going to be a who's who of far-right extremists tripping over themselves to earn Donald Trump's favor — and all Josh Schoemann has going for him is that he's first off the starting line," said Sarah Abel, executive director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. The Source Information in this post is provided by the Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System website, and the Washington County website. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
San Francisco Chronicle
01-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Republican county leader Josh Schoemann enters Wisconsin governor's race
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Josh Schoemann, the top elected official in a suburban Milwaukee county, this week created a committee to run for governor in 2026, making him the first candidate from either major party to get into the race. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet said whether he will seek a third term. Evers has repeatedly said he will announce his intentions after the state budget is passed and signed into law, which typically happens around early July. Asked for a reaction, a spokesperson for Evers referred to a comment from the Wisconsin Democratic Party. 'The Republican primary for governor is going to be a who's who of far-right extremists tripping over themselves to earn Donald Trump's favor — and all Josh Schoemann has going for him is that he's first off the starting line,' said Sarah Abel, executive director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Schoemann, 43, filed to create a campaign committee on Wednesday. He is the executive of Washington County, one of the deepest red counties in Wisconsin, which President Donald Trump won with 67% of the vote in 2024. Schoemann has never run a statewide race before and is unlikely to be the only Republican candidate in the election that is 19 months away. Bill Berrien, a Whitefish Bay manufacturing businessman, created a political action committee two weeks ago as he also considers a run. Berrien is a Navy SEAL veteran and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision in New Berlin. Others mentioned as potential candidates include U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents northern Wisconsin, and two-time losing U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde, a Madison businessman. Schoemann was elected as county executive in 2020 after previously working six years as county administrator and county manager. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and received an honorable discharge in October 2008 from the Army National Guard, according to his biography on the county website.
