Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez withdrew from the Democratic primary for governor due to unexpected financial discrepancies in her campaign.
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez abandoned her Democratic primary campaign for governor on Friday, citing financial concerns that would have become a distraction. The decision follows the discovery that her campaign had hundreds of thousands of dollars less on hand than expected, leading her to fire her campaign manager. Rodriguez stated that she chose to withdraw to ensure that financial questions did not cloud an election that Democrats need to win. She emphasized that being a leader requires taking swift action and being honest when problems arise. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11, where voters will select a successor to Gov. Tony Evers. Rodriguez, an establishment Democrat from the Milwaukee suburbs, had previously received an endorsement from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. She faces competition from other candidates, including democratic socialist Francesca Hong and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. By stepping aside, Rodriguez allows the field to narrow as the primary date approaches.