Approved by RPW State Executive Committee – 4/13/2025

Article I – Unauthorized Use of County, District, and State Logos

SECTION 1 – Prohibitions

It is prohibited for any Republican Party member, officer, or organization to utilize the official logo of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and/or any Congressional District or County Party Logo, without prior written authorization. Additionally, the creation of any derivative works resembling or imitating these logos is strictly forbidden.

SECTION 2 – Penalties

1. 1st Violation: A letter of reprimand to the individual or organization and a cease-and-desist demand from the District Chairman and/or State Party Constitution Committee Chairman, depending upon which logo is being used improperly.
2. 2nd Violation: A recommendation from the State Party Constitution Committee to the District and/or State Credentials Committee, depending upon which logo is being used improperly, that the individual or the County and/or District Delegation not be seated at the next annual District Caucus and/or State Convention. By majority vote, the State Executive Committee can also intercede and direct the District and/or State Credentials Committee, that the individual or County and/or District Delegation not be seated at the District Caucus and/or State Convention.
3. 3rd Violation: In cases involving an individual member or officer, a recommendation to the county party that expulsion proceedings be initiated, following the process outlines in Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised. In cases involving county organizations, a recommendation by the District Chairman or the State Party Constitution Committee Chairman to the State Party Constitution Committee that the County Party Charter be revoked.

Article II – Endorsement in County, Legislative, Congressional, and Statewide Republican Primaries

SECTION 1 – Authorizations

Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 2 of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin:

1. Convention delegates reserve the exclusive right to endorse candidates for state-wide office.
2. Congressional District Organizations reserve the exclusive right to endorse candidates for US House offices within their district.
3. County Organizations reserve the exclusive right to endorse candidates for State Senate, State Assembly, and other elections with jurisdictions that are located within their county.

SECTION 2 – Guidance

1. Subject to any restrictions that may exist in their respective County, District, or State Constitutions, County, District, and State Party Officers are otherwise free, as individuals, to support and endorse the candidates of their choice. They may not, however, provide any endorsement using their official title which could be misconstrued to indicate an official or organizational endorsement.
2. As indicated in Section 1 above, county and district party organizations are only allowed to endorse in those races as authorized by the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
3. In cases where county and district party organizations choose to endorse in those races for which they are authorized, endorsement votes should only be conducted among the general membership at a duly called caucus or general membership meeting. County or District Executive Committees may not supersede the right of the general membership and vote to endorse in any Republican Primary.

SECTION 3 - Penalties

1. 1st Violation: A letter of reprimand, from the District Party Chairman and/or State Party Constitution Committee Chairman, depending upon level of the party the endorsement infraction occurred, to the individual or organization and a demand for the endorsement to be withdrawn.
2. 2nd Violation: A recommendation from the State Party Constitution Committee to the District and/or State Credentials Committee, depending upon the level the endorsement infraction occurred, that the individual or the County and/or District Delegation not be seated at the next annual District Caucus and/or State Convention. By majority vote, the State Executive Committee can also intercede and direct the District and/or State Credentials Committee, that the individual or County and/or District Delegation not be seated at the District Caucus and/or State Convention.
3. 3rd Violation: In cases involving an individual member or officer, a recommendation to the county party that expulsion proceedings be initiated, following the process outlines in Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised. In cases involving county organizations, a recommendation by the State Party Constitution Committee Chairman to the State Party Constitution Committee that the County Party Charter be revoked.

Article III – Revocation of County Charters

SECTION 1 – Authorizations

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, “It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to conduct the affairs of this organization in order to accomplish successfully the objectives of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. The Executive Committee shall further have the power to prescribe and adopt by-laws not in conflict with this Constitution and shall have power to make rules and regulations not in conflict with this Constitution for the conduct of the affairs of this organization. The Executive Committee shall furthermore have power to approve Constitutions and By-Laws for the District and County Organizations, and to issue Charters to the “Republican Party of _______ County” — one such Charter to each county — it being the duty of the County Organization so chartered to issue Charters to Town, Village, Ward or Precinct Organizations. The Executive Committee may upon two-thirds vote, revoke the charters, after thirty (30) days’ notice and hearing to the aggrieved parties. County and District Party Constitutions shall be reviewed for compliance with the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and to insure there are no conflicts.”

SECTION 2 – Process

1. Formal complaints regarding county or district party organizations shall be initially reviewed by the Constitution Committee, in a closed session, at its first meeting following receipt of the complaint. Complaints must be in writing and must include any evidence that substantiates the complaint.
2. Following an initial review and discussion of the complaint, the Constitution Committee shall determine if the complaint is valid. The Constitution Committee may consult individually with the complainant, county or district party leaders, or others connected with the complaint, in the process of determining its validity. Valid complaints shall be defined as those for which there appear to be sufficient evidence that some provision(s) of the county, district, or state party constitutions have been violated.
3. If a complaint is determined to be invalid, no further action shall be taken, and the complainant shall be so notified.
4. If the complaint is determined to be valid, the Constitution Committee shall conduct a closed session hearing, for which all County Party members shall be eligible to attend, at which the complainant shall formally present the complaint and provide evidence and witnesses. The subject of the complaint shall also present a formal response to the complaint and provide evidence and witnesses.
5. Following deliberations in a closed meeting, the Constitution Committee shall make a decision regarding the complaint and recommend a course of action to the State Executive Committee.
6. Members of the Constitution Committee who may be connected with the complaint or otherwise have a conflict of interest shall excuse themselves from participating in the formal complaint process.
7. Any recommendation to revoke a county charter shall be presented to the State Executive Committee, in a closed session, at which the county party may refute the evidence in support for the recommendation to revoke their charter. Any vote to revoke the county charter shall be approved by a majority vote of the State Executive Committee.
8. Following the revocation of the county charter, the Chairman of the State Party Constitution Committee shall convene a special caucus for purposes of reconstituting the County Party.

Article IV – Compensation for the State Chairman

SECTION 1 – Authorization

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 1, and Section 2(c)(i), of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, the State Chairman shall be among those officers elected by the State Executive Committee. Pursuant to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, it shall also be the duty of the Executive Committee to conduct the affairs of this organization in order to accomplish successfully the objectives of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. To that end, the Executive Committee shall further have the power to prescribe and adopt by-laws not in conflict with the Constitution and shall have power to make rules and regulations not in conflict with the Constitution for the conduct of the affairs of this organization.

SECTION 2 – Compensation Agreement

The State Chairman may be compensated in accordance with an agreement to be entered into between the State Chairman and the Republican Party of Wisconsin, with majority approval of the State Executive Committee upon recommendation from the Operations Committee. The Operations Committee may establish a smaller subcommittee of its members and, if it so determines, other State Executive Committee members, to establish and negotiate the aforementioned agreement for review and finalization by the Operations Committee prior to final approval by the State Executive Committee.

SECTION 3 – Compensation Agreement Modifications

If a compensation agreement is in place from the previous term at the time a new election for State Party Chairman is held and the State Executive Committee has determined a compensation agreement shall remain in effect for the new term, the terms of the existing agreement shall also remain in effect until such time as a new agreement is reached and approved as outlined in Section 2 above.

Article V – Position Descriptions and Performance Reviews

SECTION 1 – Authorization

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, it shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to conduct the affairs of this organization in order to accomplish successfully the objectives of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. The Executive Committee shall further have the power to prescribe and adopt by-laws not in conflict with the Constitution and shall have power to make rules and regulations not in conflict with the Constitution for the conduct of the affairs of this organization.

SECTION 2 – Position Descriptions and Performance Reviews Required

1. The State Chairman and Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin shall be required to establish position descriptions for each member of the professional staff employed by the Republican Party of Wisconsin, including the Executive Director.
2. The Executive Director shall be required to conduct an annual performance review of each member of the professional staff employed by the Republican Party of Wisconsin. The State Chairman shall also be required to conduct an annual performance review of the Executive Director.
3. Should the State Executive Committee determine the State Chairman is to be compensated, the State Executive Committee, shall be required, in a closed session, to conduct an annual performance review of the State Chairman based on the metrics outlined in the compensation agreement.

Article VI – Employment of the State Party Executive Director

SECTION 1 – Authorization

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, it shall also be the duty of the Executive Committee to conduct the affairs of this organization in order to accomplish successfully the objectives of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. To that end, the Executive Committee shall further have the power to prescribe and adopt by-laws not in conflict with the Constitution and shall have power to make rules and regulations not in conflict with the Constitution for the conduct of the affairs of this organization.

SECTION 2 – Employment of the State Party Executive Director

In the event the position of State Party Executive Director becomes vacant, the State Chairman shall lead the effort to recruit and screen applicants, and to ultimately make a hire with the assistance of a Search and Screen Committee of at least three members in number, and consisting of members of the Operations Committee and other such members of the State Executive Committee as the State Chairman may determine. The Search and Screen Committee, chaired by the State Chairman, shall review and, as necessary, revise the position description of the Executive Director, and shall also determine and negotiate the final terms of the employment.

SECTION 3 – Role of the Operations Committee and State Executive Committee

Prior to the hiring of the Executive Director taking effect, and for the State Chairman and Search and Screen Committee to obtain feedback and input, the Search and Screen Committee, through the State Chairman, shall update the Operations Committee and the State Executive Committee, both in closed session. Upon receiving final input and feedback from the State Executive Committee on the hiring of the Executive Director, any final recommendation from the Search and Screen Committee shall be approved by majority vote of the Executive Committee before such hire becomes effective.

SECTION 4 – Term of Office

The State Party Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the State Executive Committee through the State Chairman and under the State Chairman’s direct supervision. The compensation agreement with the State Party Executive Director can be revised annually, within the parameters established in the budget, following a performance review by the State Chairman, and upon the recommendation of the State Chairman and with the approval of the Operations Committee and the State Executive Committee.

Article VII – Removal Process for Leadership Positions within the State Executive Committee, RPW Staff, County Party and Congressional District Organizations

SECTION 1 – Statement of Purpose

The Executive Committee respects the right of volunteers and grassroots members of the Republican Party of Wisconsin (RPW) to elect and choose its leadership of County Parties and Congressional District Organizations. But the County Parties and the Congressional District Organizations are sub-entities of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and therefore the leadership of these sub-entities should be working in coordination to achieve the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s goals and mission.

To that end, the State Executive Committee reserves the right to remove members of the leadership team of the State Executive Committee, RPW Staff, County Party or a Congressional District Organization in the event an individual violates the Code of Conduct identified in Article VIII of the Bylaws. When an individual in a leadership position violates the Code of Conduct, it reflects poorly on the Republican Party as a whole and affects RPW’s purpose of electing Republicans to local, county, and state offices.

SECTION 2 – Initiation of Removal Proceedings

To initiate a removal proceeding of a leadership member of a County Party, Congressional District Organization, RPW Staff, or any member of the State Executive Committee the following ways may be employed:

1. The signing of a complaint by five members of the State Executive Committee identifying the individual subject to the removal proceeding, the basis for the removal, and any other relevant information to support the allegations in the complaint;
2. The filing of a complaint with the State Executive Committee by three or more elected Republican officials (which includes state representatives, state senators, congressional representatives, or any statewide elected officials) identifying the individual subject to the removal proceeding, the basis for the removal, and any other relevant information to support the allegations in the complaint;

Nothing in these proceedings prohibits a complaint from being asserted against multiple individuals if the allegations within the removal complaint are substantially intertwined.

SECTION 3 – Process Upon Receipt of Complaint

1. Upon receipt of a complaint under either of the two avenues under Art. VII, Section 2, the State Executive Committee shall refer the complaint to the Constitution Committee for review, and the Chairman of the Constitution Committee shall notify the subject of the complaint and subject of the complaint shall receive a copy as soon as practically possible, and the subject of the complaint shall have up to ten days to respond to the Constitution Committee;
2. Following an initial review and discussion of the complaint, the Constitution Committee shall meet via any means authorized by the State Executive Committee to determine if the complaint states a valid claim for removal;
3. The Constitution Committee must affirmatively authorize via a majority vote of its members to proceed with removal proceedings if the allegations in the Complaint state a valid removal claim;
4. If a complaint is determined to be invalid, meritless, or frivolous, no further action shall be taken;
5. If the Constitution Committee votes to affirm the validity of the removal proceedings, the complaint is referred to the State Executive Committee pursuant to the proceedings outlined in Article VII, Section 4.

SECTION 4 – Process Before State Executive Committee

1. Upon receipt of a removal complaint, the State Executive Committee shall notify the individual of the nature of the allegations in the complaint;
2. Within 30 days of receipt of the complaint, the State Executive Committee shall hold a hearing where the individual subject to the removal complaint may be present to refute, contest, and otherwise present evidence, with the assistance of counsel if the individual so chooses to retain counsel, to rebut the allegations in the complaint. Such hearing may be held via electronic means as set forth in Article IV, § 2(c)(iii), of the Constitution of the Republican Party of Wisconsin;
3. The State Executive Committee may allow for testimony or evidence from any individuals who can support the allegations in the complaint;
4. Following the presentation of evidence, the State Executive Committee may proceed to a closed session to discuss and deliberate on the evidence presented;
5. Following the deliberation in closed session, the State Executive Committee must return to open session to vote on whether to remove the individual from their position;
6. The individual is declared removed from his or her position if 3/5 of the present members of the State Executive Committee vote in favor of removal, after finding by a preponderance of the evidence, that the allegations in the complaint against the individual are meritorious.
   • If a member of the State Executive Committee signed a petition under Art. VII, § 2, A., to initiate the removal proceedings, he or she may be present and can vote on whether the complainant can be removed.
7. Any vote for removal, receiving less than 3/5 vote of the present State Executive Committee, shall bring the removal proceedings to a close and the individual is determined to remain in his or her position, barring any subsequent complaints

SECTION 5 – Process Following Removal

1. In the event that an individual is removed by the State Executive Committee under these proceedings, the position is determined to be vacated and shall be held open until further action by the State Executive Committee;
2. The State Executive Committee may choose any of the following options to fill the vacant position:
   1. The Chairperson of the State Party may nominate an individual to fill the vacant position; the nominated individual may fill the vacancy upon a majority vote of the State Executive Committee;
   2. The State Executive Committee may vote to hold open the vacancy to allow for the organization affiliated with the vacant position to call for and hold an election to fill the position;
   3. The State Executive Committee may instruct that the organization affiliated with the vacant position hold open that position until the next available election as determined by the organization.

SECTION 6 – Effect of Removal

Any individual removed under this section is prohibited from holding an elected position within the Republican Party of Wisconsin or any of its sub-entities for a period of four years or more depending on the seriousness of the reason for removal.

Article VIII – Code of Conduct for Leadership Positions within the Republican Party of Wisconsin

SECTION 1 – Statement of Purpose

It is a privilege to be a member of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and its sub-entities including County Party and Congressional District organizations. When an individual in a leadership position affiliated with the Republican Party of Wisconsin acts in a manner that reflects poorly on the Republican brand or affects the public’s perception of the state Republican Party, it detracts from the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s purpose to “aid in every honorable way the Republican movement to advance fundamental Republican principles and policies, and as a voluntary organization, cooperate and assist in all elections.” — Republican Party of Wisconsin Constitution, Art. II.

SECTION 2 – Code of Conduct

Members of the State Executive Committee, elected members of the leadership teams of County Parties and Congressional District organizations, and any other leadership positions under the Republican Party of Wisconsin organization shall:

1. Treat Republican Party of Wisconsin members, Republican Party of Wisconsin staff, Republican elected officials, and candidates with respect and decorum;
2. Support candidates nominated or endorsed for election by the Republican Party;
3. Be good stewards of the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s and its sub-entities’ financial resources;
4. Maintain confidentiality when asked or requested by the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s Executive Committee or staff;
5. Abide by the terms and provisions of the governing documents of any relevant sub-entity to which the individual is affiliated with;

This code of conduct also requires individuals to not:

6. Engage in sexual, verbal, or physical harassment of Republican Party elected officials, members of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Republican Party of Wisconsin staff, and volunteers associated with the Republican Party of Wisconsin;
7. Publicly defame Republican elected officials and/or staff and volunteers associated with the Republican Party of Wisconsin;
8. Undermine or seek the defeat of a Republican candidate for office after that individual has won the Republican primary;
9. Undermine the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s strategies and initiatives by encouraging county and/or district leadership to utilize data and resources that do not directly feed into the Republican Party of Wisconsin;
10. Misallocate financial resources for the individual’s personal or professional benefit;
11. Use social media accounts associated with the Republican Party of Wisconsin or any of its sub-entities for purposes that conflict with the mission of the Republican Party of Wisconsin;
12. Abuse the privilege of their position for efforts to pursue an agenda that conflicts with the goals and mission of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

SECTION 3 – Consequences

Failure to abide by the terms of this conduct code may subject an individual to removal proceedings pursuant to Article VII.