(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sgt. David Zoerner easily won the Republican primary Tuesday night for the Kenosha County Sheriff’s race. In the four-way race, Zoerner beat the next highest vote-getter, Ray Rowe by 18%, or 3,400 votes. Ray Rowe, a democrat ran as a republican in a strategic move. He was hand-picked by democratic Sheriff David G. Beth. With the overwhelming victory, conservative voters see this as a rebuke of the current Sheriff and his handling of the Kenosha Riots of 2020. Rowe and Zoerner were very different candidates. Zoerner ran as a conservative “law and order” candidate and criticized Sheriff Beth’s leadership. Rowe ran a “nice guy” campaign with virtually no law enforcement background, teaching D.A.R.E. for decades. Rowe lauded Beth’s handling of the riots and made his anti-second amendment stance clear. Rowe didn’t respond to KCE’s request for comment but wished Sgt. Zoerner and Democrat James Simmons luck in the general election on Facebook.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sgt. Zoerner celebrated his victory with friends and family at Kenosha Brewing Company, 4017 80th St. There were no shortage of smiles and hugs as Zoerner took a quick and commanding lead which he kept for the entire night. As soon as the race was official, the room erupted in celebration. “This is not my win” said Zoerner, “This is our win!” Zoerner thanked his family, friends, and co-workers who were present.
Zoerner will face Democrat James Simmons in the general election in November.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson – Kenosha County Eye)
(Submitted Photo)
23 Responses
Congratulations David Zoerner! It will be nice to have someone in charge that actually care about the Deputies and the Corrections officers!
Rowe should have run as a Democrat if he is one. Amazing Gonzales got as many votes as he did. Zoerner had a wide margin over Rowe but he also failed to get over 50% of the vote which means he has work to do for November. I predict crime will be the big issue in November and not just in this race.
Sargent David Zoerner is the only candidate with leadership experience. During all these years, he has been perfectly capable to protect, serve, and lead under different scenarios with a professional attitude.
Under circumstances like the social unrest we experienced two years ago, we could witness what lack of Leadership means … or did we already forget about it?
Zoerner is respected by his subordinates because of his knowledge, professionalism as well as courage.
We need the right leadership: Zoerner is not only the best qualified, he is the only with Leadership experience.
We don’t need more of the same, we need this change, the time is now!
I sent this same message yesterday, I am not sure if you posted it Mr. KM
I was there when this candidate was asked if he would use non- Lethal methods such as fire hoses to disperse the rioters. His response….no it wouldn’t be nice. I am afraid for Kenoshas future with this candidate.
Just what Kenosha needs, photos and videos on national TV of law enforcement hosing down protestors. Have you have seen the photos of Birmingham Alabama? You are a complete idiot.
To Anonymous, Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Cochran had no business even being in this race, they were there for a reason and that didn’t work ?.Mr. Zoerner will be way over 50% come November.
To Neverforgettheriots. THANK YOU.
Congratulations to Sgt. Zoerner!
I can’t wait to see which candidate Rowe will support for the fall election.
If you need to remind potential voters that you’re a Republican on your yard sign, to me that means you’re not solid in your beliefs. However, I hope Zoerner can make a difference if he wins this fall. Kenosha is beginning to resemble Chicago and we need to stop it.
Sore loser.
I respectfully disagree, it is important if you identify with a particular party, to put that on your signs, rather than expecting everyone to remember what team you are affiliated with. The person running for office knows what party they are most aligned with, it’s people who don’t have 24/7 to keep track of the players that need a clear scorecard sometimes.
These officers should be nonpartisan anyway. We should be looking at who is most qualified, not who hands out the most coloring books.
I agree,
Dave is PROUD to represent as a conservative reason why he out it out there he’s not afraid to show everyone he’s a republican. Simmons is a JOKE.
Kenosha County is just bound and determined to keep a Democrat in that role, aren’t they ??♀️
Sore loser.
Hahahahah.. You really see Kevin as supporting a Democratic role? You must be reading the County eye backwards..
Well, conservative Republicans traditionally don’t attend the Womens March in DC wearing a pu**y hat… but Zoerner did. It was also not that many years ago, he put a “D” behind his name.
Very true, but he won’t be the first or last former Democrat to run screaming from the dumpster fire that the Democratic party has become. Next good example is Mandela Barnes who is most aligned with the craziest five people in Washington DC today and we’ll make endless speeches about working people, of which he hasn’t been one for years.
Ron Johnson must be salivating with Barnes at his opponent. The incendiary and false statements Barnes and Evers made about Kenosha in 2020 — yikes! Red meat for RonJo.
Dems killed off their best option for beating Johnson: State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski who is not a Madison or Milwaukee Democrat. They do not understand how to win elections.
He was there for Trump’s inauguration. The next day he brought his son to the protests to show his son what crazy protests were going on. A women gave them two hats and they put them on as a joke. But apparently you can’t take a joke—except for the joke of a candidate you voted for.
MAGA!!!!
I actually voted for Chris Schmaling, because I live on the Racine County side of the road. He’s far from a joke- I don’t have to question my Sheriff’s beliefs or values at all. Can’t say that in Kenosha County, however.
Congrats to Sgt. David Zoerner ! Perhaps now the Village of Somers will have the traffic laws enforced. I was thinking real strong for Somers to have their own police department due to the lack of enforcement on our town and village roads. Definitly lack of personal service from the deputies who patrolthe Village of Somers. Hopefully thoer will be a change from the David Beth administration that exists today.
Good luck David Zoerner!