Waupun Mayor Considers Entering GOP Primary for Governor

Rohn Bishop cites "fatal flaws" of current GOP candidate Tom Tiffany as reason to enter race.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Waupun Mayor Rohn Bishop is considering entering the race for Wisconsin governor, a potential move that would revive a primary competition on the Republican side. Bishop, a longtime Republican activist, says he is thinking about running because he wants to offer voters a Republican candidate who has built consensus among people of various political backgrounds in his city.

Why it matters

Bishop's potential entry into the race would provide an alternative to the current lone major Republican candidate, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, whom Bishop has criticized for voting against certifying the 2020 election results and for being a sitting congressman, which Bishop believes is a disadvantage. Bishop's candidacy could shake up the GOP primary and give voters a more moderate Republican option.

The details

Bishop, 46, says he is considering entering the race because of what he considers to be "fatal flaws" of Tiffany, including Tiffany's vote against certifying the 2020 election results and his status as a sitting congressman, which Bishop believes is a disadvantage for Republicans this cycle. Bishop, who campaigned for Trump in 2020 but has since criticized the former president and supportive Republicans for spreading false claims about the 2020 election, acknowledges he would face an uphill climb in a Republican primary where unwavering support of Trump is prized.

  • Bishop is currently the mayor of Waupun, a city of around 11,000 people, and is also running for reelection as mayor.
  • Bishop says he will decide whether to switch gears and run for governor after exploring fundraising options.

The players

Rohn Bishop

The mayor of Waupun, Wisconsin, and a longtime Republican activist who has been critical of former President Donald Trump at times. Bishop is considering entering the Republican primary for Wisconsin governor.

Tom Tiffany

A U.S. Representative and the lone major Republican candidate in the GOP primary for Wisconsin governor. Bishop has criticized Tiffany for voting against certifying the 2020 election results.

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What they’re saying

“A Republican Mayor who's earned the support of local Democrats and tackled issues like child care, fought both parties to keep the prison here, and put Waupun on the map? Wisconsin could use a governor who fights as hard for Wisconsin as he has for Waupun. Someone who will cheerlead for Wisconsin like Tommy Thompson always did.”

— Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

“The worst part of the GOP strategy is I've spent a decade supporting GOP laws to tighten up our elections. Voter ID, signing the book, etc. I've pushed back against Dem claims that we Repubs were trying to disenfranchise people. Now here we are, trying to disenfranchise people.”

— Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

Bishop says he will decide whether to enter the governor's race after exploring fundraising options.

The takeaway

Bishop's potential candidacy could provide a more moderate Republican alternative to the current lone major GOP candidate, Tom Tiffany, and shake up the primary by offering voters a candidate who has built consensus across political lines as mayor of Waupun.