Bill Berrien, a businessman from Wisconsin and a supporter of President Donald Trump, announced on Friday that he is suspending his campaign for governor. This decision comes shortly after reports revealed his online interactions with multiple explicit accounts, including a nonbinary adult film performer.
Berrien, who previously served as a Navy SEAL, was one of three main Republican contenders. In a detailed statement, he expressed, “I had no idea that seeking public office could be almost as perilous as ‘hunting down war criminals in Bosnia.’” He ultimately determined that winning the primary was improbable.
“Considering what is best for the party, voters, donors, and my family, I have chosen to withdraw my candidacy,” he stated.
His exit from the race leaves U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who entered the contest on Tuesday, and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann as the remaining Republican candidates, while several Democrats are also in the running. The primary is set for August.
Berrien has an active account on Medium.com where he followed nonbinary adult film performer Jiz Lee and various authors of sexually explicit content, alongside publications exploring topics related to sexuality and polyamorous relationships.
In a statement issued Thursday, Lee denounced Berrien as a hypocrite, a sentiment echoed by numerous Republicans who urged him to withdraw from the race.
In contrast, Schoemann acknowledged Berrien’s service to the country in his response to the campaign suspension without commenting on the allegations surrounding Berrien’s social media activities. Tiffany has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Phil Shulman, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, attributed Berrien’s withdrawal not to his online behavior but rather to his past criticisms of Trump.
Questions regarding Berrien’s viability as a candidate arose from his previous support for former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley during the 2024 presidential primaries, as well as his indecision about supporting Trump as of August 2020.
“Bill Berrien serves as a cautionary tale for GOP candidates: Loyalty to Trump–past or present–is non-negotiable,” Shulman remarked. His inability to secure a foothold in the race, despite his experience and financial backing, illustrates the lengths to which others will go to secure the nomination.”
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel initially reported on Berrien’s online presence on Monday. He defended his actions in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, stating that the media was fixating on “trivial articles I read years ago.”
In a more assertive tone regarding his campaign exit, Berrien described the topics he explored as “cherry-picked.” He expressed frustration, saying it created a “sensationalized narrative aimed at pushing me out of the governor’s race. It felt like a calculated attack.”
“And for what? For merely reading!” Berrien continued. “Nothing illegal, nothing unethical, and nothing immoral. Just reading. Shouldn’t our political and business leaders be encouraged to be well-read and open to diverse perspectives?”
As the CEO of Pindel Global Precision, Berrien campaigned on values associated with “family,” yet he faced backlash for previous comments about transgender individuals during the early phases of his campaign. His departure comes less than three months after he entered the race.
The Wisconsin governor’s race is newly contested for the first time since 2010, following Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ decision to forego a third term.
The leading Democratic challengers include Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys, and state Rep. Francesca Hong. Other potential candidates being considered are Attorney General Josh Kaul, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, and former state economic development director Missy Hughes.
