Rodriguez exits Wisconsin governor race as Democrats urge Crowley comeback
The lieutenant governor’s campaign collapsed over financial discrepancies less than a month before the primary, while Gov. Tony Evers reportedly weighs backing David Crowley if he returns.
Wisconsin Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez suspended her campaign for governor July 17 after financial discrepancies upended what had become the Democratic establishment’s leading bid to succeed outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, also a Democrat.
“As we have continued to dig into our financial reports, it has become clear there are issues that would be an ongoing distraction — not just for this campaign, but for the primary and for Wisconsin,” Rodriguez said in a statement announcing her withdrawal.
Rodriguez said she was “deeply hurt and betrayed” by what happened but could not allow questions about the campaign’s finances “to become a cloud over an election that Democrats need to win.”
Her decision came only four days after she downplayed the financial crisis as a “bump in the road” and vowed to remain in the race.
Rodriguez fired campaign manager Kara Spencer after television advertisements scheduled to begin airing failed to appear because invoices had not been paid. Rodriguez said a subsequent review uncovered double-counted contributions and expenses that had not been properly reported, leaving the campaign with hundreds of thousands of dollars less than she had been told.
Although the campaign had announced a $1 million television advertising purchase, Rodriguez said Monday that it had only about $200,000 on hand. Her attorney contacted the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to correct the filings.
Rodriguez’s exit leaves Democrats scrambling less than a month before the Aug. 11 primary and has prompted an effort to bring Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley back into the race.
Crowley suspended his campaign July 8 and endorsed Rodriguez the following day. Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes had also ended her campaign and backed the lieutenant governor, helping Rodriguez consolidate support among prominent establishment Democrats.
WISN political director Matt Smith reported Friday that a growing group of Democrats was urging Crowley to relaunch his campaign. A source close to Crowley subsequently confirmed to Urban Milwaukee that the county executive was considering returning.
NOTUS, citing another person directly familiar with Crowley’s thinking, reported that he was “strongly considering” the move. The outlet also reported that Evers was considering supporting the effort to bring Crowley back.
Urban Milwaukee reported more specifically that Evers may endorse Crowley if he reenters the race. Neither the governor nor Crowley has publicly announced a decision.
Hughes openly encouraged the comeback Friday, writing to Crowley on social media: “Get back in this race!”
Crowley would not face the usual logistical obstacles of a late campaign entry. Because he suspended his campaign after ballots had been finalized, his name remains on the primary ballot and has already appeared on absentee ballots.
Four Democrats officially remain in the race: former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys and Greater Milwaukee Committee President Joel Brennan, who served as Evers’ Department of Administration secretary.
The Democratic nominee is likely to face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who leads his party’s field. Evers’ decision not to seek a third term created Wisconsin’s first open gubernatorial election since 2010.
Crowley’s choice could now determine whether establishment Democrats quickly regroup behind a replacement for Rodriguez or allow the primary to proceed with a field that has shifted sharply since he left the race nine days ago.
