Rumors are circulating that the Republican Party of Kenosha County may issue a pre-primary endorsement in the upcoming sheriff’s race — potentially backing the incumbent.
If that happens, it would come at a time when confidence in the current leadership appears deeply fractured within local law enforcement.
The Kenosha County Deputy Sheriff’s Association delivered a decisive message, with about 95% backing Captain Tony Gonzalez. Perhaps more striking, about 98% chose someone other than Sheriff David Zoerner. Meanwhile, Captain James Beller secured unanimous support from the Kenosha Professional Police Association board, representing an even larger force of sworn officers.
Taken together, those endorsements paint a clear picture: both challengers have strong backing from their respective agencies, and both have emerged as the frontrunners in the race.
And yet, the Republican Party of Kenosha County hasn’t even paid lip service — or even pretended — to care about those candidates. There has been no meaningful outreach, no effort to hear their vision for the department, no indication that their plans for Kenosha County even matter in this process. By all appearances, the party is prepared to move forward with an endorsement without even inviting the two leading challengers to speak.
That alone should concern every Republican voter.
Because it suggests the decision is already made — not based on merit, not based on leadership, not based on what the men and women in uniform are saying — but based on one simple factor: incumbency.
But let’s be clear — Sheriff Zoerner isn’t the one running to shots-fired calls. He’s not traveling across the country to track down suspects in cold cases. He’s not the one stepping into volatile domestic disputes. That responsibility falls on deputies, sergeants, lieutenants — the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day.
If the party moves forward with endorsing the incumbent now, it would be choosing leadership optics over the judgment of those actually doing the job. It would be elevating photo ops over front-line experience. It would be sending a message that party politics matter more than the voices of those who wear the badge.
And the pattern doesn’t stop there.
The party appears willing to overlook serious concerns — from past opposition to cooperating with ICE, to allegations that certain high-ranking individuals were allowed to avoid charges. Whether those issues are debated or disputed, the fact remains: they are not even being meaningfully considered.
Because right now, it seems one thing matters more than anything else — that there is an “R” next to the name, and that the name belongs to the current sheriff.
At its core, the Republican Party brands itself as the party that backs the blue. But in this moment, endorsing the incumbent before the primary would suggest that incumbency — and party convenience — matter more than the overwhelming sentiment inside law enforcement itself.
The party has a choice. It can take the easy path — endorse the incumbent and move on. Or it can take the smarter path — let Republican voters decide in the primary and unify behind the nominee.
One path respects the rank-and-file. The other ignores them.
If you’re going to claim you back the blue, you can’t ignore about 98% of them.
66 Responses
Our party should be more careful with primary endorsements. Those of us old enough to remember 1978 saw Lee Dreyfus upend party favorite Bob Kasten and go on to become governor.
Excellent reminder and remember it well. With only $100K, Dreyfus won the primary over the country club Republican Kasten, who would have lost the general election to Dem Gov Martin Schreiber in the 1978 election, as the nation was deep in economic stagflation and hapless Carter paralysis, stuck on stupid. Dreyfus’s ebulient sunny personality and massivev tax cuts (returning a huge surplus to the people), including suspension of the state income tax in the 1979 economic misery (unheard of), was a signa along with Margaret Thatcher’s arrival as PM in Britain, that the 1980 election was going to bring profound change (it did).
Populist Gov Dreyfus, totally pissed off the entire establishment and used his position to become the President of Sentry Insurance for much bigger money rather than run for a 2nd term knowing the enraged GOPe was going to screw him by ensuring a 1982 Democrat win, which it did anyway, but only for a single term before the arrival of the 3-term Rep Gov Thompson. As a result, Gov Dreyfus sailed off with a big smile and a big money middle finger to the WI GOPe.
I would like to remind you that the county exec. who claims to “backs the blue” and went so far as to make signs to state that, is the same person who cut the Sheriffs Department budget along with a detective position. So the long and short of it the only person to defund the police like all of the rioters chanted for as they burned Kenosha to the ground is the exec. who has an R behind her name. Voting blindly due to incumbancy or letter behind the name instead of the merits of the candidate is absolutely short sighted and foolish. Look at our DAs office right now, its a mess. If the voters were to do some research or talk to someone who knows the candidates, it will become clear very quickly that Tony Gonzalez is the person for the job. He knows the how that department runs and is a downright honest, trustworthy, hard working, God fearing man. Be informed, get out and vote, and if you care about the future of this community vote Tony Gonzalez
The County Executive has never cut the sheriff’s department budget. In fact, the sheriff’s department levy budget has increased at a rate of over 22% while the overall budget growth was less than 3%. Over the time that Samantha has been CO, the sheriff’s department has gained almost 13 FTE positions.
Those deputies that are spreading those lies would be wise to stop, as the county board has a liberal democrat majority that is not friendly to law enforcement. They would be happy to cut the sheriff’s budget and move it to the human services department.
The sheriff’s office is a cesspool of bloated spending. Case in point: Why are there so many pickup trucks on patrol? How much do they cost? What is the gas mileage per gallon?
All of government is a cesspool of bloated spending. The Sheriff Department covers a lot of ground. There are a lot of other areas to look at wasted money than gas mileage.
many of them trucks probably get the same or better milage than the Ford Explorer that are also used..the trucks are much more versatile and are more suited to “county wide” actions .
Nothing wrong with having one or two of them. The Ford SUV is now a hybrid. Smart choice.
So should they be in Teslas? Many automotive companies that manufacture law enforcement vehicles have gotten awsy from cars and moved towards trucks and SUVs. It not about mileage, it’s about use. Maybe you should get out of the backseat of a squad and look up front. Computers, printers, ect….and if you wanted to fit in a second officer…..not.
She has slashed the training budget for the sheriff’s department by about 50% since she took office…..
Almost $20,000 from 2025 to 2026 and cut a detective position.
65 – 75% of the electorate reflexively votes for the letter by the candidates name and the pols play this repeating fact to the hilt. It’s why it’s very hard to vote them out.
100% Spot On!
Since getting Red Pilled well over a decade ago, there have been major disappointments in the leadership of the Republican Party of Kenosha County and the RINOs infiltrating it. (Kerkman, Beth, Nudo, and other PUKEsters)
I sure hope this isn’t true, but if it is shame on the board. Another example of why we let out membership lapse.
Dave Beth kneeling before Black Lives Matter Clowns and Zoerner with a pussy hat are all you need to know about the Kenosha Republican Party.
Neither are Republicans.
Conversely like Sheriff Clark in Milwaukee who is a Republican who ran as a Democrat to get elected these two mentioned here are / were Democrats running as Republicans
While a lot of people call Sam a RINO I say she doesn’t fight or work for our conservative ideals hard enough.
Yes she has to work with predominantly Democrat employees and officials it’s us that put here in that position.
We need a Red Wave in November
Republicans can suck my vag lips.
The republican party is no friend to ANY public employee.
Or any employee for that matter…
Do you mean unions??? If so, I dont blame the Republicans then.
More seniority= more lazy or thinking entitled . Trust me, I know first hand but watch how many disagree all well knowing the truth.
Cite your sources, name your fools, speak the truth.
Unions are THE worst thing for employees to be apart of. Sham and a joke is all they are.
No- we need the unions to build all the data centers that are going up right now, then for them to support democratic candidates with all of the money made off of destroying WI and other states. Good news, the unions will also install the pipelines to destroy Lake Michigan. This will create higher electricity bills for all of us. You can’t be an employee that builds a data center, then complain about the data center. It would be like being a security guard at a slave plantation and claiming you are anti-slavery.
There has been such huge turnover in the past four years that most (non-LE) county employees never saw a union membership.
Even GDR knew creating public employee unions was a terrible idea
FDR
I have never heard that before. I am interested in learning more. Can you respond with a link that verifies that? Thank you.
FDR did not allow Federal employee unionization and did say that, but supported skilled trade guilds and general labor unions (UAW & Teamsters). The Federal employee unionization and their special status was done by a JFK Exec Order in the early 1960’s. Trump 47 has finally gutted out the idiotic protections of the Schedule F employees allowing Doge to chop them off if determined to be obsolete deadwood, or sabateurs defying Trump policies, which was rampant during Trump 45. 47 wised up fast and took immediate action Day 1 upon inauguration – and has largely nullified the Maga-hating Federal Judges that protected them.
Yes, FDR was pro union. But he signed it into law in 1935… almost 100 years ago.
People and workforce have changed in 100 years. Not for the better either. Unions ain’t what they designed them for anymore.
I think Kamala Harris would have made a better sheriff over Zoerner
Could be some truth in that. Kamala, before she got political, was a kick ass, take no prisoners prosecutor.
…their level of incompetence.
Kamala should have stayed where she was actually good at her job and been recognized for doing great things there.
Would have a lot more respect than reaching for positions above her knowledge just to do it.
That goes for the private sector too !
How many of us have a boss that was a great foreman or division leader but failed when put in charge at the next hire level.
Be good at what you do and stay in your lane.
Local elections should be non-partisan.
Nothing is non-partisan anymore.
Hence why all the people who get elected are shitty….
most are already
The Republican party in Wisconsin is dead. When the “rank and file” STILL won’t get off their lazy a$$e$ to vote in monumental Supreme Court races tells you all you need to know. This state went from a pro-taxpayer state after Act 10 with a 5-2 Conservative majority court, to a now 5-1/2-1-1/2 radical liberal clown show that will completely handcuff this state and force it to become a disaster as Illinois and Minnesota are now.
Even if Tiffany wins in November, he will be stopped from doing anything by the clowns on the court. And that will ALL be because for some reason, Republicans refuse to vote in Supreme Court elections.
Mark Belling was very correct when he said decades ago the Republican party has to move out of the Soviet Russia(Madison) and get rid of all the Madison “republicans” who infect the party.
The majority of “rank and file” republicans are lazy and have the attention span of a four-year-old.
Sorry … it’s the truth and it’s why things are the way they are.
“The Republicans party in Wisconsin is dead”…………..It certainly is at least for the working class.
how much did you help in the spring election? Did you donate money, knock doors, make phone calls?
Donate money?—-Not for two years now. Republicans—lousy ROI–(return on investment).
Phone calls…nope. Turn my phone off way too many robo-calls from Republicans asking for donations–donate money and the phone calls and mailings increase–even mailings for $250. and up a plate get togethers…. and Republicans still lost he most important elections—State Supreme Court. Over the next couple election cycles they will manage to lose the majority in the State Assembly.
Watching the clown act does not exactly raise expectations for Conservative wins.
As a member of the RPKC I have seen that all three candidates signs are in front of the office, their nominations sheets are in the office to sign as well as their literature. All sheriff candidates had the opportunity to speak at Pints.
How about a full fledged debate at the Kenosha County center.
Or at Brat Stop.
Something that can go on for three hours or more.
Something meaningful. All gloves off
PREACH!!!!
Agree with you 100% Kevin.
I don’t think this will work out well for Sandy either. There’s a reason Amanda didn’t run for the senate seat. She knows what’s coming.
Dear Kenosha Co Voters!
Now, more than ever we need to Back The Blue! The Men and Women who serve and protect our community have seen enough of the LACK OF LEADERSHIP of Absentee Sheriff David Zoerner!
I trust the 98% of the Supervisors, Deputies and Corrections Staff who are desperately asking for our help in electing Captain Tony Gonzalez as our next Sheriff. Your vote is a loud message that you BACK THE BLUE!
Is Tony Gonzalez the right choice? Certainly a good guy who has support of the staff but so did Zoerner and Beth before him. If Tony gets elected, what will he owe, if anything, to the internal candidates who supported him? Will be be reluctant to discipline when and if needed? And if he does, will they turn on him? With those questions in mind, perhaps Beller is the better choice. I would like to hear more from both of the challengers before I decide but somehow the “internal candidates” have a track record of being disappointing.
Any incoming sheriff should ask the county board for funds for a top-to-bottom outside administrative and operational audit.
RINO party of Kenosha
back the brown and blue no matter what they do. sure most of the cops are perverts, drunks, and steriod freaks, but who you call when you need help, da cops. get behind da cops
Yawn. Just bc you didn’t pass the exam doesn’t mean you need to pout about it 🤣
Republicans back the blue only when they’re looking for votes. We’ve all seen now what they really think of the blue.
I truely hope the Republican party takes a serious look at all three candidates for Sheriff. The status quo is not enough in the times we live in. What accomplishments have occurred under the current sheriff? Why are rank and file supporting another candidate? Has the department completed a satisfaction, work environment survey? Zoerner ran at least two other times and lost, switching parties too. Perhaps those reasons should steer the republican party leaders to one of the other candidates. Both of whom seem qualified to hold the office, each with distinct skill sets. This county deserves the most qualified and respected sheriff.
Good points. I have no favorite of the two challengers — yet. Want to hear more.
If the Republican Party chooses to endorse a Sheriff candidate BEFORE the primary I will refuse to financially support the KCRP going forward. An endorsement of any of the candidates prior to the primary is reckless and is a clear sign of the “good ole boy” system we need to get rid of!
The best people to vote for are the ones that no party wants.
Both parties are just two wings of the same avian-flu infested bird. Dirty, disgusting.
If RPKC does indeed endorse Zoerner, it becomes the duty of every Kenosha County resident to spread the word that Sandy needs to come out of her senate race with no more than 3 votes- hers, Zoerner’s, and probably George Stoner’s buttbuddy Matt Augustine.
VOTE ELLEN.
Blah blah blah. You all voted these people in. This site basically endorsed all of them. You can all STFU. Start voting for the best candidate and not a party.
Are you implying there was a better candidate? 🤣
I noticed the KPPA endorsement says their board of directors endorsed Beller. Was it the full membership that voted, or just the board of directors. Because there is a difference.
The KPPA allows the board to make the call.
That sounds an awful lot like how R’s in Congress only serve their master and doesn’t listen to its constituency
This is all politicians….not just Republicans.
What world are you in. Republicans have been openly complaining for years that Congress is not codifying Trump’s agenda.
Beller for Sheriff!!
I think a change at KSD is needed. DZ had his moment of fame. As for the other two….I’ve been alongside them many times and seen what they can do. My vote will go to Tony as he knows the inner workings and what to change and correct. Jim’s a great guy, but I can’t see him as Sheriff.