Wisconsin
Wisconsin GOP leadership up in the air with calls from exec team for Brian Schimming to resign
The apparent move to oust Schimming comes after months of infighting among Wisconsin Republicans over the direction of the party and its leadership.
Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Brian Schimming and former Gov. Tommy Thompson speak after state presidential electors cast ballots.
Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Brian Schimming and former Gov. Tommy Thompson speak after state presidential electors cast ballot.
MADISON – Wisconsin Republican Chairman Brian Schimming’s future as head of the party is up in the air after members of the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s executive committee asked him for his resignation.
Schimming told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he received a call from an executive committee member “suggesting to me that a majority of the Board is asking for my resignation.”
He said he has since received “calls of support” from around the state and indicated he had no immediate plans to step aside as the party’s chairman.
“We’ll have a meeting of the Board to determine what is happening and to ensure the RPW remains an effective organization in a crucial battleground state,” Schimming said, claiming multiple members of the party’s executive committee were not aware of this week’s move to seek his ouster.
Multiple GOP sources told the Journal Sentinel on June 21 that Schimming was given 24 hours to resign as party chair, though others said the exact timing of the demand was unclear.
The apparent move to oust Schimming comes after months of infighting among Wisconsin Republicans over the direction of the party and its leadership following another resounding state Supreme Court race defeat and years of fundraising woes. It falls just over a year before the 2026 midterm elections that are expected to be difficult for Republicans.
Schimming has been under scrutiny by his party in recent months following two consecutive double-digit losses in races for the state Supreme Court that cemented liberal control of the state’s highest court for years. Even with President Donald Trump’s win in November, GOP sources told the Journal Sentinel in May that Schimming could soon face moves to remove him as chairman.
Recently, much of the Republican infighting has come from the northeastern 8th Congressional District, where Republicans clashed over the election of their new district chairman. The new chairman, Ken Sikora, has been openly critical of the state party and has called for new leadership.
Members of the conservative dark money group Turning Point Action, which is expanding its influence in Wisconsin, have also criticized Schimming and the party.
In May, disgruntled grassroots Republicans considered a vote of no confidence in Schimming at the state party’s convention in Rothschild, but ultimately, a vote was not called. The state’s top Republicans at the time sought to tamp down those divisions and issued calls for unity.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson told the convention crowd he had “never seen as many squabbles” during his years in Wisconsin electoral politics. Schimming, for his part, vowed to serve out his new two-year term leading the state party.
Still, some top Republicans in recent weeks have noted the addition this spring of new members to the party’s executive committee, some of whom are seen as opponents of Schimming, put more pressure on Schimming to step aside.
Schimming, who was first elected state party chairman in December 2022, is the Wisconsin GOP’s first paid chair — a move made to prevent turnover in the position and aid fundraising efforts.
From the beginning of 2023 until just before this year’s high court race, though, Wisconsin Republicans raised about $40.9 million across their state and federal accounts as Wisconsin Democrats raked in just over $116.3 million during the same period.
Some executive committee members have floated the idea of making changes to the chair’s compensation, but one committee member told the Journal Sentinel in May that a vote to oust Schimming was more likely to happen than a vote to alter the chair’s salary.
“The compensation is not the issue. The issue is do we have a chairman who is not performing,” the executive committee member said of Schimming at the time. “There are members who are concerned he is not fulfilling the terms of his contract.”
Both Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans in recent weeks have grappled with who should steer their respective ships into the 2026 election cycle, which is already underway.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Ben Wikler, a fundraising powerhouse, left his post this summer and state Democrats’ former executive director Devin Remiker was picked as his successor.
On Saturday, Schimming told the Journal Sentinel his “support from Republicans across Wisconsin was in evidence at our successful state convention last month.” He did not say when the next executive committee meeting would be held.
And while some executive committee members have quietly discussed removing Schimming, there has been no clear consensus as to who should replace him.
Wisconsin
Tranfser Portal Predcition: Wisconsin trasnfer John Blackwell likely to land with contender
John Blackwell is one of the more sought-after players still available in the NCAA transfer portal. Big-time programs are coming after the former Wisconsin Badgers guard. And now, On3’s Joe Tipton is calling his shot on where Blackwell will end up.
Tipton has put in an RPM for Blackwell to commit and sign with the Duke Blue Devils. His level of confidence sits at 60%. If Duke head coach Jon Scheyer can get this one over the finish line, it could prove to be a massive addition.
“Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell is one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal,” Tipton said. “The 6-foot-4 shooting guard took an official visit to Duke on Monday and the Blue Devils are carrying the momentum in this recruitment. I’ve officially placed an RPM prediction in favor of Duke to ultimately land the star transfer.”
The On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings have Blackwell slotted as the No. 5 overall player to enter this cycle. Just looking at shooting guards, only one guy is ahead of him — Wake Forest‘s Juke Harris.
Blackwell spent three seasons in Madison before entering the transfer portal. He was in double figures over the last two years, averaging 19.1 points during the 2025-2026 campaign. Duke will enjoy his efficiency as well, shooting 43% from the field and 38.9% behind the three-point line.
There is more to what Blackwell can do than just shoot, though. He snagged just over five rebounds and dished out 2.3 assists per game.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Before the RPM pick from Tipton, the latest update on where things stood with Blackwell came on Saturday. Tipton laid out who else is still considered to be in the running, including a visit schedule for the Wisconsin transfer. You can check out the full piece of intel here.
Duke has turned into one of the more consistent programs in college basketball, playing at a high level under Scheyer. The last three seasons have resulted in at least an Elite Eight appearance, even making the Final Four in 2025. Still, the expectations in Durham are to win a national championship. Maybe Blackwell is the guy who can help them take the next step forward.
Wisconsin
Rubber bullet carnage as 1,000 animal welfare activists storm beagle breeding lab in Wisconsin | Fortune
About 1,000 animal welfare activists who tried to gain entry Saturday to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrested the group’s leader.
It was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility in Blue Mounds, a small town about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, said in a video statement that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” and assault officers. He said protesters have ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and blocked roads to prevent emergency vehicles from entering.
“This is not a peaceful protest,” Barrett said.
The sheriff’s department said a “significant” number of people were arrested out of about 1,000 protesters at the site but did not give an exact total as they were still being processed as of the afternoon.
Protesters tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence. Some protesters did get through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
“I just feel defeated,” activist Julie Vrzeski told the newspaper about three hours into the operation after no dogs had been successfully seized.
Activists later moved from the Ridglan facility to protest outside the jail in downtown Madison.
The group Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs had publicized plans to seize the dogs Sunday but launched its operation a day earlier. The X account of the group’s leader, Wayne Hsiung, posted a picture of him being arrested.
The sheriff’s department said a person who “recklessly” drove a pickup through the front gate of the property was arrested, “preventing a potentially deadly outcome.”
Protesters broke into the facility in March and took 30 dogs. Twenty-seven people were arrested on trespassing and other charges.
Ridglan has denied mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website it says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
Wisconsin
Wisconsin authorities put total arrests from clashes at beagle breeding facility at about 25
MADISON (AP) — Around 25 protesters were arrested as around 1,000 animal welfare activists tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin and were met by officers firing pepper spray and rubber bullets, authorities said Sunday.
Saturday’s protest was the second attempt in as many months by demonstrators to take beagles from Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison. They were turned back by officers who arrested the group’s leader.
Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said the situation was “significantly calmer and more peaceful” on Sunday, when around 200 people assembled outside the farm. They dispersed after around two hours, it said.
“We’re pleased with the group’s cooperation today, and their willingness to remain peaceful, while still sending their message of concern for the dogs at Ridglan Farms,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. “We are happy to support anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as they do so lawfully.”
Owen Ziliak/The Wisconsin State Journal via AP
The sheriff had said in a video statement Saturday that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property.” They tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence.
Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Some got through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Amber Arnold/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary. But most arrestees were just booked and released, the sheriff’s office said Sunday.
“No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort,” Hsuing said in a statement from jail Sunday that also accused authorities of using excessive force. “The animals of this Earth are not “things.” They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to rescue them from abuse,” he concluded.
Protesters took 30 dogs when they broke into the facility in March, when authorities arrested 27 people.
Ridglan denies mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 in a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website, the company says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
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