(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner quietly deleted a campaign Facebook post within hours after it drew criticism from both liberals and conservatives over his immigration record and a campaign image appearing to show him standing alongside President Donald Trump.
The post declared, “As your Sheriff, I have always stood strong against crime, drug cartels, and illegal immigration. No excuses and no backing down – Just like President Trump.” It also featured what appeared to be an AI-generated image depicting Zoerner standing beside Trump beneath the words “Trump-Tough Conservative.”
While political attacks often come from one side or the other, the criticism directed at Zoerner came from across the political spectrum.
Liberals accused the sheriff of abandoning his previous positions on immigration enforcement for political gain. Several commenters described Zoerner as an “opportunist,” arguing he changed course only after facing a Republican primary challenge from Capt. James Beller, who repeatedly pledged to sign a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if elected sheriff.
Zoerner is seeking another term in a three-way Republican primary. He is being challenged by Capt. James Beller of the Kenosha Police Department and Capt. Tony Gonzalez of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Both challengers have criticized Zoerner’s leadership during the campaign, with Beller making support for the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program a central issue of his campaign.
Conservatives were equally critical. A former Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office employee, accused Zoerner of misleading voters, commenting, “LIAR! Took you over 3 years to sign 287G and competition for sheriff.” Others questioned the integrity of using what appeared to be an AI-generated image that gave the impression Zoerner had recently posed for a photograph with President Trump.
The criticism echoed Kenosha County Eye’s reporting over the past year documenting Zoerner’s evolving position on immigration enforcement.
In September 2025, Zoerner publicly rejected participation in the federal 287(g) program. Two months later, Kenosha County Eye reported that his administration had adopted a more limited approach to cooperating with ICE.
After challenger Capt. James Beller entered the sheriff’s race and promised to sign the 287(g) agreement, Zoerner quietly entered into a federal 287(g) agreement. Multiple current and former members of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office told Kenosha County Eye that senior command staff were not informed beforehand that the agreement was being pursued.
Kenosha County Eye later reported that Zoerner publicly claimed sheriff’s deputies had been deputized by ICE and were arresting illegal immigrants. Records obtained by Kenosha County Eye indicated the agreement covered only designated correctional officers assigned to the jail, and records did not support the claim that patrol deputies had been deputized or were making immigration arrests.
Zoerner’s campaign post claimed he had “always stood strong” against illegal immigration. Critics from both sides of the political aisle disputed that characterization, albeit for different reasons. Liberals argued he embraced tougher immigration enforcement only after it became politically advantageous, while conservatives argued the post ignored his earlier opposition to the 287(g) program and overstated his administration’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
One Kenosha County voter criticized Zoerner for deleting the post rather than defending it. “If you’re going to make a political statement, own it,” the voter said. “Don’t take it down because people disagree with you. Either you believe what you posted or you don’t. Removing it after a few hours makes it look like you’re more worried about the backlash than standing behind your convictions. Deleting it within hours just highlights his flip-flopping, opportunist track record. Voters are concerned because they don’t know what they’re going to get with the incumbent. We want someone who hasn’t wavered in their message. It’s not Dave.”
Within hours of being published, the Facebook post had been removed from Zoerner’s campaign page. Zoerner has not publicly explained why it was deleted.
25 Responses
Did you forget Captain Tony Gonzalez is also running for Sheriff. He has been endorsed by all but three deputies, the entire command staff, and a majority of the jail staff. Tony has also made a stand on 287g. Also note Zoerner’s command staff told him three years ago to sign a 287g. Tony is part of that command staff. What has Captain Beller promised you, the same thing Zoerner promised you 4 years ago? Just wondering 🤔
Skimming over the headline and some of the words in the story. You want to be the first to comment to see how many thumbs up you will get for your “on point comment” !!!
Tony is mentioned in the FIFTH PARAGRAPH !!!
Right where his name in a story about someone else should be.
Read the Fucking Story !!
The whole story. Then ask Kevin to delete your dumb shit comment !
Someone’s jealous. Eats a snickers and you won’t be so crabby “I love guys like you”. It’ll be okay.
Be quiet when you talk
Reading isn’t your strong suit I suppose! You might be one of Tony’s minions doing shady crap for his campaign rather than running on merit.
Clearly reading isn’t your thing! Are you one of the folks doing shady crap to to help Tony win against Zoerner & Beller?
I call BS on the command staff telling Zoerner 3 years ago to sign the 287g contract.
Three years ago was 2023. Who was president then? Biden. His open borders policy did not have ICE working on deportations at all.
True! Good catch
You clearly work for KSD! Go you
Can’t you read?
See how I did that ?!?
Wrote a pointed CORRECT Comment !
Look at all the Thumbs up I got !
And I wasn’t even trying.
Just played the game
A few months before signing 287(g), Zoerner released an individual whose ICE detainer was issued because the person was considered “a risk to national security.” Kevin wrote an article about it. That individual returned to the streets, courtesy of someone who betrayed his electoral base. Time is up, Mr. Sheriff. Let’s give Tony the well-deserved chance he deserves.
Candidates for office post this stuff because they know 97 percent of you are dipshits and vote based on only that. It’s an indictment of you people.
Absolutely
YUP
RINO
He ran as a Democrat previously.
The guy literally did the women’s march with the pussy hat. Someone needs to blow up that pic and stand at GreenBay/50 with placards, would be the funniest thing ever.
Good idea…maybe you should do that. You could be that “someone”.
Checkmate.
Stalemate Comrade
Zoerner and Kennedy should sumo.
Alex give me “Ai meets political desperation posts for 1000…”
Ah, the good old boys club. Anyone who is a police officer now isn’t fit for the job.
Barring an endorsement from the president don’t put your picture with him. Being that inept is another reason not to vote for him.