Law Enforcement Groups Back Toney for Attorney General

Multiple Wisconsin police and sheriff organizations are endorsing Eric Toney over incumbent Josh Kaul.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a monolithic justice building facade, evoking the institutional nature of Wisconsin law enforcement policy. — Police and sheriff organizations in Wisconsin are backing Eric Toney for Attorney General, citing concerns over state crime lab management. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Eric Toney has secured a wave of support from several state law enforcement associations, including groups representing Milwaukee and Kenosha officers. The endorsements highlight dissatisfaction with the current administration's management of forensic testing and crime labs.

Why it matters

The endorsements center on critiques of incumbent Josh Kaul's performance, specifically regarding the efficiency of state crime laboratories and staffing levels for narcotics investigations. Supporters argue these leadership issues have hindered public safety outcomes across the state.

A report from the Legislative Audit Bureau indicates that state crime labs are currently testing fewer items and operating at slower speeds than in previous years. Additionally, the Eau Claire field office saw its narcotics investigative staff drop from four agents in 2013 to zero in 2025.

The players

Eric Toney

He is a political candidate campaigning for the office of Wisconsin Attorney General.

Josh Kaul

He is the incumbent serving as the Attorney General of Wisconsin.

Legislative Audit Bureau

This is a nonpartisan legislative service agency responsible for evaluating the performance and fiscal management of state programs.

Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police

This is a professional organization representing sworn law enforcement officers across the state of Wisconsin.

The details

The Kenosha Professional Police Association, the Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization, and the Waukesha Deputy Sheriff's Labor Union are among the groups joining the Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police in supporting Toney. Critics point to the Legislative Audit Bureau findings as evidence of failing oversight within the Department of Justice.

In 2013, four narcotics investigative agents were stationed in the Eau Claire field office.
By 2025, that office had zero narcotics investigative agents.
Eric Toney announced the new law enforcement endorsements on October 29, 2026.

Legal Context

The endorsements reflect a broader trend in Wisconsin judicial politics where police unions leverage official findings from the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau performance evaluation guidelines to challenge incumbent leadership. This pattern indicates a move toward using administrative audit metrics as central arguments in state-level election cycles.

The controversy over crime lab efficiency and staffing levels directly impacts the speed at which criminal evidence is processed throughout the state. Residents may notice these operational delays if they are involved in cases requiring forensic analysis or state-level investigative resources.

The takeaway

Voters are evaluating the efficacy of state law enforcement agencies based on official audit reports rather than just campaign rhetoric. Pay attention to how administrative metrics regarding crime lab output and agency staffing influence the local perception of public safety policy.