Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
7.3%
29%
19.5%
Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee?
$18.6K
AUG 12, 2026
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOther
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationWisconsin
BackgroundCounty executive
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Notable personal detailsJosh Schoemann is the elected County Executive of Washington County, Wisconsin, first elected in April 2020 and re-elected in April 2024. Before becoming county executive, he served more than six years as Washington County Administrator/County Manager. He is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and served in the Army National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge in October 2008. He announced a Republican campaign for Wisconsin governor in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
washingtoncountywi.hosted.civiclive.comapnews.comwisn.comjoshschoemann.comen.wikipedia.orgwashcowisco.govurbanmilwaukee.comcivicmedia.uswispolitics.comwaukradio.comlobbying.wi.govgermantownwi.govcdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.comjsonline.compolitifact.comaol.comdiscoverhometown.comtmj4.compbswisconsin.orgwisconsinexaminer.comkwhi.comarchive.vnyahoo.comsweetstudy.comstatic.politico.comgo.politico.comassets.apnews.compolitico.comballotready.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvotesmart.orgdemocrats.house.govlaborcaucus.house.govcongress.govgovinfo.govdocquery.fec.govdocs.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgprogressives.house.gov
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Josh Schoemann is in the news as one of the candidates in Wisconsin’s 2026 governor race. The ballot list is expected to be certified before the Aug. 11 primary, after the state elections commission reviews nomination papers and signatures. The race is still taking shape, and the final ballot will determine who advances in the primary.
washingtoncountywi.hosted.civiclive.com+40
Polls
Wisconsin Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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