Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
7.3%
29%
19.5%
Republican
Josh Schoemann
Republican candidate for Governor in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee?
$37.8K
AUG 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$37.8KAUG 18, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleCounty Executive
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationWisconsin
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BackgroundCounty executive
EducationMaster of Public Administration (MPA)
Notable personal detailsJosh Schoemann is the Washington County, Wisconsin county executive, first elected in April 2020 after serving in county administration roles. A Republican, he filed to run for governor of Wisconsin in 2026. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and previously served in the Army National Guard, and he has said he earned a Master of Public Administration using the G.I. Bill.
SourcesShowHide
joshschoemann.comapnews.comwispolitics.comen.wikipedia.orglinkedin.comwashcowisco.govecode360.comurbanmilwaukee.comcdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.comusvotefoundation.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgtransparencyusa.orgspectrumnews1.comwisconsinexaminer.comtmj4.comwicounties.orgwashingtoncountyinsider.comreddit.comjsonline.compolitifact.comaol.comdiscoverhometown.compbswisconsin.orgkwhi.comarchive.vnyahoo.comsweetstudy.compro.stateaffairs.comwpr.orgwisn.compbs.orgfox6now.comdrydenwire.comwtmj.commilwaukeemag.comgmtoday.comwisconsinrightnow.comballotpedia.orgx.comfacebook.cominstagram.comballotready.orgcongress.govgovinfo.govdocs.house.govronjohnson.senate.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgdocquery.fec.govpressgallery.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Advocates significant tax reductions and smaller government, with a particular focus on cutting property taxes (targeting a 50% cut and eventual elimination replaced by a local consumption tax) and promoting lower overall tax burdens. Emphasizes government spending restraint, administrative downsizing, and policies to keep residents from leaving for lower-tax states.
Healthcare
Josh Schoemann emphasizes limited government and local control on public health matters while supporting targeted mental-health and veteran wellness initiatives; as county executive he opposed expanding local public-health enforcement powers and has pursued private-sector solutions for county healthcare facilities.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports partnering with federal law enforcement on immigration enforcement and providing resources for federal agents to do their jobs; his platform also calls for removing noncitizens from state voter rolls. His public materials emphasize enforcement and administrative measures rather than expanded legal pathways or asylum protections.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports a pro-life approach focused on creating a "culture of life," treats the 20-week limit as a settled standard in Wisconsin, and emphasizes policies to promote adoption, expand support for mothers through the postpartum period, and enact child-support measures beginning at conception. He frames the response as conservative reforms to reduce abortions rather than expanding abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports expanding Wisconsin’s energy supply with an emphasis on restarting and prioritizing nuclear power as part of a diverse portfolio to support growth (including data centers) and to protect property rights and economic development. Emphasizes strategic, people-focused energy development rather than large new regulatory mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strengthening and fully funding public safety and emergency services and has overseen county actions that equip law enforcement; emphasizes investment in public safety rather than new gun restrictions. Focuses on backing law enforcement resources and preparedness.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedSep 2, 2026
Josh Schoemann is in the news as a candidate in Wisconsin’s governor race, which is moving toward the Aug. 11 primary and the Nov. 3 general election. Recent coverage focuses on the crowded field and the campaign dynamics around the race, including other candidates’ fundraising and ballot certification. The reports do not describe a major new development involving Schoemann specifically, so the picture is mainly that he remains part of an active and competitive primary.
joshschoemann.com+48
Articles
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette3 months ago
These candidates are still running in Wisconsin's governor race
Neutral
WWEAU6 months ago
How Wisconsin’s legislative maps could impact the general election
Neutral
TMThe Mercury News3 months ago
How a congressional redistricting battle could gain new life for the 2028 elections
Neutral
WWTOP2 months ago
Wisconsin governor candidate says her campaign has far less money than she thought
Neutral
Latest Polls
Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Josh Schoemann currently averages 7.3%, ranking third in this race, 12.2 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 7.3%Position: thirdMargin: -12.2 ptsLatest poll: 5.0% (Nov 17 - 21)Polls included: 3
Average recalculated from polls through Nov 17 - 21.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising