Waupaca County one of the parties involved
The Republican Party of Wisconsin has taken to steps to reign in outspoken and motivated mega MAGA Republicans in counties in the 8th Congressional District, including Waupaca County.
On April 14, the RPW sent information from Brad Shimming, RPW Executive Committee chair, to party members about the passage of two new bylaws, “These changes, driven by volunteers and local leaders, aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and governance within our party structure. We have established these bylaws at the request of party activists and leaders.”
The RPW indicated, “The bylaws ensure due process, through multiple steps, for both sides of a complaint.”
The first bylaw amends Article VII to establish a formal process for the removal of leadership positions within County Parties, Congressional District Organizations, State Executive Committee positions, and RPW staff.
The second bylaw updates Article VIII to establish a Code of Conduct for leadership positions within the Republican Party of Wisconsin, its County Parties, and Congressional District Organizations, following other state parties across the nation.
It is the second bylaw change that caught the attention of county and the district chair because it, “outlines expectations for leaders, including treating members, staff, and candidates with respect, supporting party-endorsed candidates, managing financial resources responsibly, maintaining confidentiality, and adhering to sub-entity governing documents. Prohibited actions include engaging in harassment, publicly defaming party officials or volunteers, undermining Republican candidates’ post-primary, misusing party data or finances, using social media in conflict with the party mission, or pursuing personal agendas contrary to party goals.”
Finally, the RPW document relates, “These bylaws reflect the practical needs of our grassroots organizations and reinforce the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s commitment to providing effective avenues for concerns to be managed and ensure due process for all members of our party. Effective governance, transparency, and integrity are critical to the success of our party and our goal of electing Republicans.”
Podcaster Regular Joe reacted to this by posting on his Facebook account: “What a stinking pile of sh*t from the Republican Party of Wisconsin. These “rules” are as Republican as the #ROFR bill – essentially a gag order against county and district chairs until the convention. Brian A Schimming should be embarrassed to preside over this attack on free-speech.”
The podcast Badger State Resistance also slams the RPW for “disenfranchising” its membership base. According to the Facebook page for this, “Badger State Resistance is a Constitutional Conservative Podcast based out of Wisconsin. Here to expose the media’s agenda and destroy liberal narratives.”
State Rep. Timothy Ramthum posted on Facebook: “I do not see these changes as helpful to the party. They will allow for retaliation upon anyone who doesn’t agree with what the party demands or what puppet the party supports…
“These are micro-managing tactics that fuel division…
“Perhaps the state party body should be given the opportunity to opine on these actions & offer their approval, disapproval prior to the 2026 ‘selections’. The voice of the people that ARE the body, must be heard, not just a select, chosen few …”
He also added, “Let it be known that myself and Billie Johnson voted NO to all of this. Not everyone on the board are bad. Some of us get put on the board by default and we don’t agree with any of this.”
According to a Facebook post by Ken Sikora, newly elected District 8 chair, “… keep in mind, that this tactic has been used by every dictator in history to tamp down dissent. Also know that there are many in this executive committee that will make millions on the upcoming elections for governor because they own business that benefit from this. They will go to any lengths to keep this from you.”
Vos conspiracy theory
According to a recent James Tesauro Facebook posting, the challenges in the RPW leadership effort to control county and district parties is a powerplay by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to revamp and bring under his control all parties at all levels within the state.
Tesauro weaves his theory on the interrelations of a RPW Vice Chair Bill Freehan, who is uncle to Mac Freehan, who is a research assistant to Vos while being an employee of Bill’s firm Red Bluff Consulting.
Tesauro charges, “Now all of a sudden establishment garbage politics, led by Vos and controlled by Vos and incarcerated by Vos is attempting and has almost succeeded at transforming the entire state party into a controlled opposition to the grassroot and America First movement in the state and at that level.
“He has become the RPW emperor in a sense through manipulation and control,” he continues, “and there is a push now to make Bill Feehan, who LED THE SECRET MEETING on Sunday (not Brian Schimming, where these new anti free speech by-laws were passed by a vote of 24-7) the NEW CHAIRMAN of the RPW.
“Robin Vos is attempting a take over of the RPW. The connections between Bill Feehan and his failed consulting group and Vos is undeniable. The backroom dealings that have been had are in full effect. This is not a conspiracy. These are facts,” Tesauro contends.
Seems that all tis will come to a head on Wednesday, April 23, when Robin Vos is the guest speaker on the Chairmans Club Zoom meeting for all county and district party chairs.
According to podcaster Regular Joe, “Pontius Schimming and Judas Vos are leading a discussion about the future of the Republican Party of Wisconsin? They should be tendering their resignations instead. We can do better, we deserve better.”
On Tuesday, April 29, the Wolf River Area Patriots will host a program on “Reforming Wisconsin’s Republican Party to MAGA” at the Washington Center in New London starting at 6:30 p.m.
According to event posting, “Ken Sikora, newly elected Chairman of the Eighth District Wisconsin Republican Party will speak and take questions. He will share his vision to increase conservative, MAGA wins and to positively impact the Wisconsin Republican Party in a more MAGA direction. Ken overwhelmingly won election over the previous leadership of the 8th district by focusing on President Trump’s America First Agenda and opposing the more centrist leadership of the state’s republican leadership. All are welcome. Ken will take questions.”
Read the Battleground Wisconsin story here.
