Josh Schoemann, a seventh generation resident of Washington County, was born in Hartford. In 2001, he married the love of his life, Jodi. Their two sons, Cael and Drake, attend Hartford area public schools. Growing up as the son of a Lutheran Minister and a nurse, he learned from a young age the importance of “servant leadership”.

Service Driven Leadership

Josh was deployed to Iraq with the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in 2008. Josh used the G.I. Bill to earn a Masters of Public Administration.

He has faithfully served on the Peace Lutheran Church of Hartford’s council. Additionally, he was elected as the President of the Hartford Union High School Board, has been a formative member of the Economic Development Washington County Board, and is a former President of the United Way of Washington County.

Professionally, Josh has served as the Assistant to the Public Works Director in South Elgin, Illinois, City Administrator for Princeton in central Wisconsin and Village Administrator for Richfield until he was appointed to lead Washington County’s administration in 2014.

Setting Priorities, Improving County Finances, Getting Things Done

When Josh came to the county, he set priorities and got things done. He has shrunk county government in every metric: lowest tax rate since before WWI, lower tax levy than a decade ago, less county owned land, fewer government employees, and significantly less debt. Through priority based budgeting, Josh cut excess programs and has reallocated nearly 15% of the budget. Josh and his team have a fully funded road construction plan until 2050 – without raising taxes.

Josh led the charge to change state law to merge health departments with Ozaukee County. Governor Walker signed the bill and saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The transition to County Executive is too important to change course now. Elect Josh to ensure county government lives within your means.