The Democratic race for Wisconsin governor has become increasingly chaotic, marked by a prominent candidate's abrupt withdrawal due to financial mismanagement and the dramatic re-entry of another contender with a last-minute endorsement from the sitting governor.
Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez announced her departure from the race last week after her campaign disclosed severe financial mismanagement. The situation reportedly left her campaign with insufficient funds for a planned million-dollar ad buy, and it remains unclear how much money the campaign actually had on hand. Rodriguez initially stated she was committed to staying in the race, but ultimately decided to withdraw.
Following Rodriguez's exit, the field of leading contenders appeared to narrow to Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, who was the party's nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022.
However, party leadership sought to coalesce around another candidate, coaxing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who had previously dropped out of the race, back into contention. In a significant development, Governor Tony Evers endorsed Crowley this past weekend, a move seen as a final effort to prevent Hong, and potentially Barnes, from securing the nomination.
This turmoil is particularly surprising given the Wisconsin Democratic Party's recent reputation as a model for effective coordination among leaders and candidates over multiple election cycles. Democrats had entered the primary season with optimism, citing strong performances in recent state Supreme Court races and the potential to gain ground in the state legislature under new maps.
Governor Evers himself has maintained high approval ratings throughout his two terms, though he faced some friction with legislative Democrats over the state's budget surplus. His decision not to seek a third term opened the field for aspiring candidates.
Initially, Attorney General Josh Kaul was expected to enter the race and would have been a clear frontrunner, but he ultimately opted not to run. Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez was the first to announce her candidacy, followed by Barnes and Crowley. State Representative Francesca Hong emerged as an underdog, gaining significant traction with a campaign that highlighted issues of affordability and economic disparity, engaging voters through unconventional events like ramen pop-ups, karaoke, and bingo.
Early polling indicated a highly fractured field, with no single candidate dominating. The narrative had been shifting toward a three-way contest between Hong, Barnes, and Rodriguez. Behind the scenes, concerns reportedly grew among some Democrats about the electability of a democratic socialist like Hong in the general election, leading to efforts to rally around Rodriguez.
Rodriguez's campaign appeared to gain momentum with endorsements and the planned ad buy, but the revelation of financial issues quickly derailed her candidacy. This sudden collapse opened the door for Crowley's return, especially with the crucial endorsement from Governor Evers.
Crowley's re-entry presents a challenge. Despite his previous campaign and now the governor's backing, he had previously polled below 5 percent. The success of his renewed campaign will depend on his ability to quickly gain visibility and secure funding in the three weeks remaining before the primary.
The party's decision to back Crowley over Barnes has also raised questions, given Barnes's higher name recognition and his close race against incumbent Ron Johnson in 2022. Some party insiders reportedly believe Barnes has underperformed expectations in internal polling for the general election, and concerns about his past stances on policing issues may have factored into the establishment's reluctance to fully embrace him.
The presumptive Republican nominee, U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, a conservative Republican who secured Donald Trump's endorsement, has spent recent months running biographical ads. Wisconsin remains a key swing state, with a history of electing candidates from both parties, suggesting a close general election contest is likely.