Pressure Mounts on Wisconsin GOP Chair as Party Division Grows

The Wisconsin GOP Chair, Brian Schimming, is facing increasing internal pressure. A deep party division is building as questions related to his ability to lead continue to grow. 

Former 8th District Republican Party Secretary Tracy Ann Mangold describes the fractures within the state as widening under Schimming’s leadership, despite his ability to recently secure another two-year term as the chair. Mangold joined Pat Kreitlow, host of Mornings with Pat Kreitlow, to discuss what she says is a tenure marked by “abysmal” fundraising, a failure to unify the party, and the fear of confronting extremist elements within the GOP. 

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Listen to the entire discussion here:

Mangold tells Kreitlow she’s known Schimming since the 1990s. She originally supported his appointment, hoping his networking skills and name recognition would bolster the party’s coffers. 

“As a state party chair, fundraising is one of your fundamental roles,” she explains. “But his numbers were nowhere near expectations.” 

She says there are reports Schimming considers making a handful of fundraising calls a day sufficient which is an approach far below what seasoned fundraisers deem necessary.

There are deeper systemic issues plaguing the party, beyond the financial shortcomings. Mangold points to an ongoing rebellion within several county parties, particularly in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, where Oconto, Brown, and Waupaca Counties have defied state party rules, endorsed candidates outside of protocols, and aligned with far-right groups such as Turning Point USA. And even with pleas from regional leadership to intervene, Schimming reportedly declined to act, fearing the optics of intra-party conflict in a presidential election cycle.

“This is a domino effect,” Mangold says. “When Trump does whatever he wants, it legitimizes people all the way down. And that’s what you’re seeing in these counties.” 

She adds many leaders are driven by fear — of Trump’s influence, of his base, and of further splintering in the Republican party.

The discussion also raises concern about the long-term consequences of unchecked extremism. Mangold warns any growing calls for a constitutional convention could open the door to radical changes far beyond presidential term limits. 

“If they get two-thirds of the states, they could dismantle the Constitution entirely,” she says. “It is not a scare tactic. It’s reality.”

And as the party searches for a way forward, potential new leadership remains elusive. Mangold floats the name of Paul Farrow, a former state party chair and currently Waukesha County Executive, as one possible stabilizing figure. 

“I used to be able to tell you who might step up,” she shares. “Now, I can’t name anyone.”

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Watch the discussion starting at approximately 1:36:15 here:

Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a former candidate to represent Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, also joins the program and expresses concern about the lack of inspiring leadership within the party. 

“Leaders shouldn’t step up because they feel like they have to hold the line while everything burns around them,” she says. “We need vision. We need people who want to solve problems.”

Mangold believes a painful reckoning may be unavoidable. 

“I don’t have a lot of hope for it,” she adds. “I think it has to be completely decimated and then rebuilt from the ground up.”

The Wisconsin GOP’s leadership turmoil may reflect broader national trends, where polarization and extremism are pushing out moderates and leaving many traditional conservatives disillusioned. If the party can reconcile these deep divides remains an open — and urgent — question.