KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — The Kenosha County Eye booth at this year’s county fair became more than just a stop for readers and visitors — it turned into a hub for in-depth conversations with some of Wisconsin’s most prominent political and community leaders. From Wednesday through Sunday, I hosted a series of podcasts featuring a wide range of voices, each offering perspective on the issues shaping the region.

Congressman Bryan Steil
Congressman Bryan Steil has represented Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District since 2019. A Janesville native and attorney, Steil has focused on workforce and economic development during his time in Washington. At the fair, he discussed his record in Congress and weighed in on the contrasts between himself and his challengers in the upcoming election.

Brian Schimming, Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
Brian Schimming, chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin since 2022, has decades of political experience as a strategist, radio host, and former state housing official. He joined me at the booth to talk about the current political climate, offering perspective on both challenges and opportunities for Republicans statewide.

Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive and Candidate for Governor
Josh Schoemann, Washington County Executive since 2020 and the first declared candidate in the 2026 governor’s race, sat down to explain his campaign. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a former county administrator, Schoemann outlined his vision for Wisconsin’s future and the priorities he intends to bring into the race.

Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha County Executive
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman, the first woman to hold the office and a former state legislator, spoke about the fair itself. She reflected on its importance as a community tradition and discussed county initiatives aimed at boosting engagement and local pride.

Xavier Solis, Kenosha County District Attorney
Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis, sworn in this year as the first Republican DA in more than a century, discussed his leadership style and approach to prosecution. He emphasized his goals for maintaining high standards within the office and building public trust.

Sandy Wiedmeyer, Chair of the Republican Party of Kenosha County
Sandy Wiedmeyer, chair of the Republican Party of Kenosha County, described the positive reception her party received at the fair. She highlighted how events like this help strengthen local engagement and connect residents with political leadership.

Anthony LoCoco, Candidate for Wisconsin Court of Appeals
Attorney Anthony LoCoco, an appellate litigator and candidate for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, spoke about his judicial philosophy and campaign. LoCoco previously served as Deputy Counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and clerked for a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice.

Brian Filiatreault, Business Owner and Member of the Salem Lakes Economic Development Committee
Local business owner and longtime Salem Lakes Economic Development Committee member Brian Filiatreault spoke about development in Salem Lakes. He discussed how the village can pursue economic growth while balancing the needs of the community.

Chris Leker, Kenosha County Fair Board Member and Bristol Village Trustee
Chris Leker, who serves on the Kenosha County Fair Board and as a trustee for the Village of Bristol, offered his perspective on the fair. He talked about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the event and its significance for both county and village life.

Pete Poli, Salem Lakes Trustee
Salem Lakes Trustee Pete Poli used his time at the booth to speak about himself and ongoing village initiatives. He emphasized the importance of local government’s role in shaping the community’s future.

Bill Hopkins, Salem Lakes Trustee
Fellow Salem Lakes Trustee Bill Hopkins focused on school safety during his interview. He discussed a proposal to place deputies in village grade schools, underscoring the priority of protecting children in the community.

Kim Taylor, Riverview School District Administrator & Brian Hopkins, Riverview School District Board President
The only joint interview of the week featured Riverview School District Administrator Kim Taylor and Board President Brian Hopkins. Together, they spoke about their plan to place a deputy in the school, a move aimed at providing reassurance for families, staff, and the community.

Throughout the week, the Kenosha County Eye booth gave fairgoers a front-row seat to substantive conversations about politics, education, safety, and community development. All of the full interviews will be available for viewing in video format in the body of this article. State Rep Amanda Nedweski and Sprint Car race Dan Wade had to re-schedule their interviews. Sharon Pomaville (D), former County Board Supervisor and director of the sharing center was excited and agreed to be interviewed. She thought it would help give exposure to the important organization she leads. She later saw the number of Republicans being interviewed and was a no-show. She is a liberal activist.

KCE would like to thank our very generous supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous, for sponsoring the booth this year. Thank you, friend.