Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann announced Wednesday that he is dropping out of the race for Wisconsin governor, a decision that comes less than a day after President Donald Trump endorsed his Republican primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.
Schoemann launched his gubernatorial campaign in May 2025, pitching himself as a reform-minded conservative with a local-government record focused on cutting costs and restructuring county operations. His campaign emphasized property tax collections, reductions in county staffing, and policy changes related to housing and election administration.
The timing of Schoemann’s exit closely followed Trump’s endorsement of Tom Tiffany, which significantly reshaped the Republican primary field. In a social media post announcing the endorsement, Trump said Tiffany “has always been at my side,” effectively signaling to GOP voters who he views as the preferred candidate in the open-seat race.
In a statement released by his campaign, Schoemann congratulated Tiffany and framed his decision as one rooted in party unity rather than internal conflict. (RELATED: Wisconsin Governor Race 2026: Crowley Leads Democrat Fundraising Surge)
“First, I want to give glory to God for His grace and blessing in all circumstances. I want to congratulate Congressman Tiffany and his supporters for receiving President Trump’s endorsement. I wish Tom great success in November. If we focus on the people of Wisconsin rather than fighting with one another, we can make Wisconsin the place to be, not just be from. I am proud of the campaign we ran and want to give my sincere thanks to my family and supporters who believe in our message. Our fight to reclaim Wisconsin will go on.”
Trump’s endorsement has effectively elevated Tiffany to front-runner status in the Republican primary, consolidating conservative support early in the race. Tiffany, a sitting member of Congress, has long aligned himself closely with Trump and the former president’s policy agenda, a relationship now proving decisive in the primary.
The governor’s race is open for the first time in sixteen years after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced he would not seek a third term. The rare open-seat election has attracted a crowded and competitive field on both sides of the aisle.
On the Democratic side, several high-profile candidates are vying for the nomination, including former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes; current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; state Sen. Kelda Roys; state Rep. Francesca Hong; former state economic development director Missy Hughes; and former Evers aide Joel Brennan.
