June 3, 2026 6:40p
(WGTD)---Republican primaries for sheriff will be held in both Kenosha and Racine counties in August. The deadline for filing papers to get on the fall ballot was Monday.
In Kenosha County, incumbent Sheriff Dave Zoerner has drawn opposition from Kenosha Police Department Captain James Beller and from Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tony Gonzalez. All three are Republicans. The winner of the primary will face an independent in November, Gary Roberts, who currently serves as the Director of City Inspections for Kenosha.
In Racine, where Sheriff Christopher Schmaling is retiring, a pair of Republicans will compete in the primary. They are Sheriff’s Office Captain Cary Madrigal and Kenosha Alder Henry Perez. The winner will face Democrat Donald Vandervest. He’s an investigator in the Sheriff’s office.
There’s also a race for Walworth County Sheriff. Incumbent David Gerber is retiring. In November, Undersheriff Thomas Hausner will face Constitution Party member Csaba Keller, a former Town of Whitewater police chief.
In the tri-county area, there’s one more contested race for a county position. Former Kenosha County Board Supervisor Zach Rodriguez is running as a Republican against Democrat Brian Sheffler for the position of Clerk of Circuit Court. The incumbent, Rebecca Matoska-Mentink, is retiring. Sheffler has held court-related positions for the past 25 years.
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