Tom Tiffany today tightened his grip on the GOP nomination for governor as Washington County Exec Josh Schoemann dropped out of the race on the heels of President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the Minocqua Republican.
Meanwhile, businessman Matt Neumann told WisPolitics he’s decided against a bid. And a source close to Tim Michels said the businessman informed Trump at a Mar-a-Lago social event this month that he wouldn’t run for governor this fall.
Tiffany thanked Schoemann for his “kind words” as the county executive dropped out of the race.
“We are both committed to making Wisconsin the place to be,” Tiffany said. “As governor, I will ensure seniors, young families, and the next generation can afford to stay here by lowering property taxes and utility rates, cutting red tape to reduce housing costs, and delivering honest government and strong schools for every Wisconsinite.”
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Schoemann, 44, reported raising $956,345 between May, when he got into the race, and year’s end. That included a $100,000 loan he gave the campaign.
Tiffany, meanwhile, pulled in $2.1 million over the same period. Along with Schoemann trailing the GOP congressman financially, many saw Trump’s endorsement as insurmountable in a Republican primary.
“I wish Tom great success in November,” Schoemann said. “If we focus on the people of Wisconsin rather than fighting with one another, we can make Wisconsin the place to be, not just be from.”
Neither Michels, the GOP’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee, nor Neumann, whose father served in Congress, had been making moves to run in 2026. But neither had previously closed the door to a run, either.
Neumann told WisPolitics in a phone interview Republicans’ best chance in 2026 is a united front.
“I’ve always been leaning against doing this,” Neumann said. “This only further solidified that feeling.”
Andy Manske, a medical service technician from Greenfield, is the only other Republican who has registered to run this year besides Tiffany. Manske, who registered his campaign in early July, didn’t report any contributions during the last half of 2025.
Meanwhile, there are 10 Dems seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination; seven of them reported at least $350,000 in receipts on the campaign finance reports they filed earlier this month.
State Dem Party spokesperson Emily Stuckey was dismissive of Schoemann’s announcement in a one-word statement: “Who?”
Note: This story was updated Jan. 29, 2026, with additional content.
