County GOP's 'Prepare for War' post fuels existing tensions over extremist rhetoric in Hudson area The post by the St. Croix County GOP sparked condemnation from local law enforcement, and state party leaders. Author: A post on the St. Croix County Republican Party's website urging readers to "prepare for war" is drawing renewed attention to local extremism in the wake of the violence at the U.S. Capitol. John Kraft, chairman for the group, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he posted the message before Wednesday's attack in Washington D.C. that left five dead. Still, he declined to comment to additional news outlets, and initially refused to remove the message as objections rolled in.