Who is... Josh Schoemann? Washington County’s Quiet Conservative Leader

A soldier, a public servant, a farmer—and Washington County’s quiet, conservative executive

Washington County, Wisconsin, stretches across a patchwork of farmland, small towns, and tight-knit communities—where hard work and self-reliance run deep, and conservative values guide daily life. Since 2020, that spirit has had a steady hand at the helm in Josh Schoemann, the county’s first-ever elected executive. A seventh-generation resident with roots in service, Schoemann represents a rare blend of soldier, policy wonk, and family man who governs with a farmer’s patience and a manager’s discipline.

He doesn’t chase headlines. He’s not well versed in soundbites. And yet, his imprint on the county has grown quietly but unmistakably, from roads and housing to parks and voting access.

From Harford to Iraq and Back Again

Schoemann’s story begins in Hartford, Wisconsin, where he was raised by a Lutheran pastor and a nurse. Their example of service would later shape his worldview—and his public life. After graduating from Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Schoemann studied political science at UW–Whitewater and went on to earn a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Northern Illinois University.

But before he ever filed a budget or signed a resolution, he enlisted.

In 2000, Schoemann joined the Army National Guard. He served as a sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the Army Commendation Medal during his 2003 deployment. He left the service in 2008 with an honorable discharge and a sharpened focus, using the G.I. Bill to fund his graduate education.

A Government Rebuilt

Schoemann entered public service in earnest in 2014 as Washington County’s administrative coordinator. Over the next six years, he took on more responsibility as county administrator, managing operations, budgets, and board relations. At the time, Washington County had no executive position—just a board-led model with appointed administration.

That changed in 2019, when voters approved a shift to an elected executive system. Schoemann ran and won handily in 2020. Four years later, voters sent him back without opposition.

His brand of leadership—fiscal restraint, administrative efficiency, and low-key accessibility—has set a tone. And he’s used it to drive change.

Policy in Practice

Under Schoemann, Washington County has moved from short-term fixes to long-term planning. His administration implemented the 2050 Transportation Network Sustainability Plan, a blueprint that locks in road maintenance funding for decades.

He’s also behind the Next Generation Housing Initiative, which removes regulatory barriers and helps finance workforce housing. The Heart & Homestead program, launched under his watch, gives qualifying homebuyers up to $20,000 in down payment support—earned through community service or donations.

Schoemann also pushed for the Parks & Trails Endowment, a creative funding model that keeps county parks off the tax rolls and under local control. And in 2024, he worked with County Clerk Ashley Reichert to launch an Election Integrity Package, expanding early voting hours and introducing post-election audits to build voter trust across the political spectrum.

Family First, Always

What grounds Schoemann isn’t just policy—it’s place. He and his wife, Jodi, live on a farm in the Town of Trenton, where they grow lavender and raise chickens. The land keeps them rooted in the rural character of Washington County.

Their two sons, Cael and Drake, are pursuing their own paths. Cael made has made headlines as a NCAA Division III champion runner.

The Schoemanns are active at Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford and involved with local groups, including the Boys & Girls Clubs and the local VFW post. When time allows, Schoemann sneaks out for charity golf tournaments—a small break from the demands of leadership.

A Different Kind of Politician

Schoemann defies modern political expectations. In one of Wisconsin’s most Republican counties, he isn’t loud or performative. Instead, he’s out holding listening sessions, knocking on doors, showing up to town halls. Supporters like Sheriff Marty Schulteis and state Rep. Rick Gundrum cite his consistent, data-driven style.

Critics say he moves fast, restructuring departments and reallocating funds with little patience for red tape. But even some of those critics admit: he gets things done.

What Comes Next

Now in his second term, Schoemann faces new pressures—aging infrastructure, high inflation, and a housing crunch. But his philosophy hasn’t shifted: government should be limited, efficient, and responsive. And leadership, he believes, should speak less and deliver more.

In a time of political theatrics, Josh Schoemann’s model—quiet, competent, grounded—offers something rare: results without the roar.

Washington County, Wisconsin, sprawls across farmland and small towns, a place where self-reliance is king and the political needle points firmly right. Since 2020, Josh Schoemann has steered it as the county’s first elected executive—a seventh-generation resident whose life blends military service, public administration, and a farmer’s sensibility.

A veteran, a father, and a fiscal hawk, he’s spent his tenure slashing taxes, shoring up roads, and tackling the practical concerns of a county of 136,000. In an age of political shouting matches, Schoemann’s approach—low-key, results-driven—stands as a throwback to a different kind of leadership.