Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary, a move that comes after another candidate dropped out of the race.
Evers' decision to back Crowley, who would be the state's first Black governor if elected, was announced weeks before the primary election on Aug. 11. Crowley, 40, plans to state that Evers' endorsement "reflects his confidence that I have the experience, the judgment, and the record to build the coalition we need, defeat Tom Tiffany, and lead effectively from the very first day in office."
The race for Wisconsin's open governor's seat was significantly altered Friday when Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez announced she was leaving the contest, citing a campaign finance scandal. Earlier in the week, Rodriguez had fired her campaign manager after discovering her campaign had substantially less funding than anticipated.
Crowley had previously suspended his own campaign two weeks prior to endorse Rodriguez. He now faces democratic socialist Francesca Hong, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Sen. Kelda Roys, and Joel Brennan, a former top aide to Evers, in the primary.
Evers, a Democrat who chose not to seek a third term, had initially stated he would not endorse a candidate in the race to succeed him. This marks a departure from his previous stance, as he is now bypassing his current and former lieutenant governors, both of whom have prior statewide election experience, to endorse Crowley, who has not previously run for statewide office.
Crowley's political background includes serving in the state Assembly from 2016 until mid-2020, when he was elected executive of Milwaukee County, the state's largest county. He was the youngest person and the first Black individual to hold that position.
Democrats are aiming to retain the governor's office in the upcoming election and potentially gain majority control of the state Legislature, which has been held by Republicans since 2011. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election.