Wisconsin
Top Wisconsin Republicans urge easing of party divisions. ‘You’re not going to win being disunified’
ROTHSCHILD – Some of Wisconsin’s top Republicans sought to tamp down party divisions at the state Republican convention here, saying the Wisconsin GOP cannot win elections without unity.
“There’s always a power struggle, but I’ve committed 15 years since I entered this political process, (and) I’ve never seen as many squabbles,” U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, the state’s top Republican, said May 17 of the current state of the party. “You’re not going to win being disunified.”
U.S Rep. Derrick Van Orden attributed a conservative state Supreme Court candidate’s double-digit loss in April to party infighting.
“We didn’t vote because we were squabbling amongst ourselves,” Van Orden said.
The remarks to a crowd of Republican delegates gathered in a convention hall just south of Wausau directly addressed the ongoing, bitter infighting among Wisconsin Republicans over the leadership and direction of the party.
A number of Republicans across the state have grown frustrated with Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming, pointing to the party’s years of disappointing fundraising and consecutive double-digit state Supreme Court losses.
Schimming could soon face moves to remove him as chairman of the party, according to GOP sources. And a faction of Republicans at the convention over the weekend were considering forcing a vote of no confidence in the man who was first elected to chair the party in December 2022.
At the convention, however, the state’s top elected Republicans appeared to try to cool those tensions.
Johnson told delegates he was “not going to” choose sides in the heated debate. But he asked county party leaders and the winners of local and executive board races “to be gracious winners, to follow the rules, to be inclusive, to broaden the tent.”
Van Orden, who represents the state’s battleground 3rd Congressional District, said Wisconsin Republicans “got our asses kicked” in the April court race due to intra-party disunity.
He referenced the conservative dark money group Turning Point Action, which is expanding its influence in Wisconsin, saying the group was “fighting with us.” He added Republicans had “individual groups… fighting amongst ourselves.”
“We are going to make sure we are not disenfranchised, and we are going to put aside our petty squabbles,” Van Orden said.
Van Orden, though, similarly declined to weigh in on Schimming’s leadership of the party over the past two years, saying he was “going to leave that to the folks in this room.”
“I’m a federal officer, and obviously I’m a Wisconsinite and I have skin in the game here,” Van Orden told reporters. “But I want the folks that the individual parties have elected in the counties to make these decisions.”
Schimming, who was reelected this past December, told reporters he planned to serve out his new two-year term leading the state party, even as a flyer listing a dozen reasons to support a vote of no confidence in Schimming circulated the convention hall.
Asked what his message is to delegates who have lost confidence in his leadership, Schimming said “every metric we wanted to hit in this past six and eight months are metrics that we all hit.” He said the party last cycle built out its election operation and “helped over 100 candidates get elected across the state.”
President Donald Trump is the only Republican to win a statewide election under Schimming’s tenure.
“We would like to win every one, but sometimes you don’t win every one,” Schimming said of elections.
“Sometimes when you get past one of those spring elections that are kind of disappointing, you get those kind of questions,” he added of questions about his leadership. “But we’re going to be unified going forward. I really believe that.”
Johnson, Wisconsin’s senior senator, in his speech to delegates referenced the last two resounding high court race losses for conservatives and said Wisconsin Republicans need to figure out a way to win without Trump on the ballot — a key issue for 2026 races for governor and the House.
“Let’s face it, as much as many would want Donald Trump to be on the ballot again, he won’t be,” Johnson said, despite hints from Trump and his allies that he’d like to run again in 2028, which is outlawed in the Constitution. “He won’t be.”
Still, Johnson and Van Orden suggested Wisconsin Republicans’ performance without Trump on the ballot would be a moot point if the party cannot move past its divisions.
“When we fight amongst ourselves, we lose,” Van Orden told reporters. “And we’ve proven this again and again and again.”
The search for a pet kangaroo that escaped from its home outside of Necedah has captured media attention across the country.
Chesney is a 16-month-old kangaroo owned by Debbie Marlund, who operates Sunshine Farm Petting Zoo. He and his brother Kenny live in Marlund’s home, along with her five labradors, and often visit the residents of nursing homes and senior centers in the region.
“Chesney actually sleeps in bed with me every night,” Marlund said. “They’re both home bodies. They do get plenty of outside time when it’s nice. They don’t particularly care for cold weather.”
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The kangaroo was in his outdoor enclosure Wednesday morning when he was spooked by an unfamiliar dog and escaped. He’s been spotted multiple times in the area around his home but has so far evaded several attempts to catch him.
News of the search has been picked up by several TV news stations, including as far away as Seattle, and even made a British-based publication.
Marlund said she has not stopped searching for Chesney since Wednesday morning.
“I have been asking neighbors to let me go on their property and walk trails, walk paths, and get close to the vicinity,” said Marlund, adding that friends have been driving local roads to make sure he isn’t spotted leaving the area.
Colton Johnson of Midwest Aerial Drone Services has also aided in the search using a drone and thermal camera.
He often uses the equipment to search for lost pets but said tracking a kangaroo is more difficult because of its speed.
“It’s hard to keep up with him,” Johnson said. “He slipped us last night, but we’re going to head back out there tonight and see if we can get eyes on him.”
Johnson said there have been plenty of people in the area showing up to try to get a look at Chesney. But he urged residents to avoid going after the kangaroo because it could drive the scared animal further into the wooded area.
Marlund asked locals to keep an eye out for Chesney and report any sightings.
“He’s not going to come to a stranger, he’s too spooked,” she said. “But I think it is beneficial for people who are staying in the area or driving by to keep their eye out.”
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If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.
If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.
The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.
- Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
- Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
- Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
- Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
- Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
- Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
- The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.
Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.
March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.
MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule
How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth
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Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.
Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.
This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.
Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.
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