Over 75% of Wisconsin’s Sheriffs – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – Endorse Eric Toney for Attorney General
Bipartisan Supermajority of Wisconsin’s Sheriffs Back Toney to Fix Josh Kaul’s DOJ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2026
CONTACT: info@erictoney.com
GREEN BAY, WI – Republican Attorney General nominee Eric Toney today announced the endorsement of 55 of Wisconsin’s 72 sheriffs – over 75% of the state’s elected top cops, made up of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Toney made the announcement at the Brown County Courthouse.
“Over 75% of those that we trust the most keep us safe are trusting me to lead our DOJ to ensure they have the support they need to protect our communities. It’s Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, from Kenosha County to Douglas County, and the Northwoods,” Republican AG nominee Eric Toney said. “These sheriffs spent nearly eight years watching the Department of Justice stop being a partner. Josh Kaul promised to improve forensic testing, and they’re slower today than the day Kaul took office testing DNA, with more analysts and better technology, despite testing less evidence. Enough with broken promises, it’s time for a change. As Attorney General, I’ll put public safety over politics and bring conservative, common-sense leadership back to the DOJ.”
“I’ve worked with Eric Toney for years, and he answers the phone,” said Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain. “This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue for us. It’s about getting timely justice for victims and protecting our communities. It’s time for a change with new leadership at our Department of Justice. Eric Toney will fix the crime labs and give law enforcement a real partner in Madison, and that’s why I’m proud to endorse him. ”
“I’m a Democrat, and I’m endorsing Eric Toney,” said Menominee County Sheriff Rebecca Smith. “Eric has sat across the table from sheriffs for 13 years as a prosecutor. He listens, he shows up, and he delivers – he did it for prosecutors and public defenders alike when he led the District Attorneys Association. Eric Toney is putting public safety over politics everyday, and I’m proud to support him.”
Josh Kaul ran in 2018 on fixing the crime labs. Eight years later, his own Department of Justice reports show the labs are slower in many major categories, including DNA. This is despite more staff, better technology, and 29% fewer cases than when he took office. DNA analysis (the evidence in rape kits, homicides, and crimes against children) took a median of 50 days to process in 2018. In 2024, it took 112 days. Drug testing went from an average of 43 days to 90. Toxicology went from 37 days to 82. The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau reached the same conclusion in 2024, finding Wisconsin’s labs slower than Michigan’s, Illinois’, and Iowa’s, and that 532 rape kits sent to a private lab took a median of 292 days to come back, nearly all of them beyond the six-month limit now required by state law.
Toney’s law enforcement coalition now includes over 75% of Wisconsin’s sheriffs, the Milwaukee Police Association, the Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police, and retired sheriffs across Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Sheriffs Endorsing Eric Toney:
Adams County Sheriff Brent York, Republican
Barron County Sheriff Jodi Kummet, Republican
Bayfield County Sheriff Tony Williams, Democrat
Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain, Republican
Burnett County Sheriff, Tracy Finch, Independent
Calumet County Sheriff, Brett Bowe, Republican
Chippewa County Sheriff, Travis Hakes, Republican
Clark County Sheriff Kerry Kirn, Republican
Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner, Republican
Douglas County Sheriff Matthew Izzard, Democrat
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Republican
Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd, Republican
Florence County Sheriff Teresa Chrisman, Republican
Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt, Republican
Forest County Sheriff Jeffery Marvin, Republican
Grant County Sheriff Craig Reukauf, Republican
Green County Sheriff Cody Kanable, Independent
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, Republican
Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Maze, Republican
Juneau County Sheriff Andrew Zobal, Republican
Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner, Republican
Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski, Republican
Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill, Republican
Langlade County Sheriff Mark Westen, Republican
Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig, Republican
Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb, Republican
Marinette County Sheriff Randy Miller, Republican
Marquette County Sheriff Joe Konrath, Republican
Menominee County Sheriff Rebecca Smith, Democrat
Monroe County Sheriff Wes Revels, Republican
Oconto County Sheriff Todd Skarban, Republican
Oneida County Sheriff Grady Hartman, Republican
Ozaukee County Sheriff Christy Knowles, Republican
Pepin County Sheriff Joel Wener, Republican
Pierce County Sheriff Chad Koranda, Republican
Polk County Sheriff Brent Waak, Republican
Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt, Republican
Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Republican
Richland County Sheriff Clay Porter, Republican
Rusk County Sheriff Phil Grassmann, Republican
Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister, Republican
Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek, Republican
Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner, Republican
Sheboygan County Sheriff Matt Spence, Republican
St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson, Republican
Taylor County Sheriff Corey Dassow, Republican
Trempealeau County Sheriff Erica Koxlien, Republican
Vilas County Sheriff Gerard Ritter, Republican
Walworth County Sheriff Dave Gerber, Republican
Washington County Sheriff Marty Schulteis, Republican
Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson, Republican
Waupaca County Sheriff Tim Wilz, Republican
Waushara County Sheriff Wally Zuehlke, Republican
Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz, Republican
Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker, Republican
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