Trump Endorses Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin Governor Race

Tiffany faces Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann in the August primary

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:07pm

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President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin's open race for governor, solidifying the congressman's front-runner status in the Republican primary in the battleground state. Tiffany has been a fierce Trump loyalist since he was elected to Congress in 2020.

Why it matters

Trump's endorsement of Tiffany is seen as a boost for the Republican candidate, but it also provides an opportunity for Democrats to tie Tiffany to unpopular elements of the former president's agenda. The Wisconsin governor's race is an open seat for the first time in 16 years, making it a key battleground in the 2026 elections.

The details

Tiffany faces Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann in the August primary. Trump said as governor, Tiffany would work to grow the economy, cut taxes, secure the border, ensure law and order, support the military and protect gun rights. Tiffany said he was honored to receive the endorsement and promised that if elected "I will make Wisconsin great again by lowering utility rates and property taxes, cutting burdensome red tape, rooting out waste and fraud, and restoring common-sense leadership to Madison."

  • Trump announced the endorsement in a social media post on Tuesday night (January 28, 2026).
  • The Wisconsin Republican primary is scheduled for August 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has endorsed Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the Wisconsin governor's race.

Tom Tiffany

A U.S. Representative from Wisconsin who is running for governor as a Republican. He has been a fierce Trump loyalist since being elected to Congress in 2020.

Josh Schoemann

The Washington County Executive who is running against Tiffany in the Republican primary for Wisconsin governor.

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What they’re saying

“Tiffany has proudly voted in lockstep for Washington Republicans' expensive and unpopular agenda that has hurt families, farmers, and small businesses across Wisconsin.”

— Izzi Levy, Democratic Governors Association spokesperson (pbs.org)

“I will make Wisconsin great again by lowering utility rates and property taxes, cutting burdensome red tape, rooting out waste and fraud, and restoring common-sense leadership to Madison.”

— Tom Tiffany (pbs.org)

What’s next

The Wisconsin Republican primary is scheduled for August 2026, where Tiffany will face off against Schoemann for the party's nomination.

The takeaway

Trump's endorsement of Tiffany in the Wisconsin governor's race highlights the continued influence of the former president within the Republican Party, even as he faces legal troubles. The race will be a key battleground in the 2026 elections, with Democrats seeking to tie Tiffany to Trump's unpopular policies.