MADISON (WLUK/AP) — Following revelations of alleged financial irregularities by her campaign manager, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez is withdrawing from the gubernatorial race.
“As we continued to review our financial statements, it became clear that there were issues that would be ongoing distractions—not just for this campaign, but for the primaries and for Wisconsin. This race is too important for Wisconsin to let that happen,” Rodriguez said in a statement Friday.
The announcement came four days after Rodriguez fired her campaign manager after discovering her campaign had hundreds of thousands of dollars less money than she thought. The discrepancy was discovered when campaign advertisements scheduled to run last week failed to air due to unpaid bills.
Rodriguez said donations were counted twice and expenses were understated, leaving her campaign with far less money than she thought.
Rodriguez’s departure leaves four candidates in the Democratic primary: former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes; Joel Brennan, former top aide to Gov. Tony Evers; State Representative Francesca Hong; and State Senator Kelda Royce.
The winner of the Aug. 11 primary will face presumptive Republican nominee Tom Tiffany.
Evers will not seek re-election after serving two terms.
Some of Rodriguez’s main opponents issued statements in response to the news.
Brennan
I have deep respect for Lieutenant Governor Rodriguez and the ideas and energy she brought to this race. This is undoubtedly disappointing for her and the people who supported her campaign, and I stand ready to join her in the fight to protect the Wisconsin we love.
While a lot has changed in the Democratic primary, one thing has not: We need a governor who can win and who will fight for Wisconsin to get things done. Tom Tiffany will further exacerbate the challenges facing Wisconsin families. He has shown that he cares more about loyalty to Donald Trump than the people who are suffering in our state. I’m the candidate who will make big strides in lowering costs, expanding health care, making child care affordable, improving schools and more – and I can and will win in November.
Royce
I want to thank Lt. Governor Rodriguez for her service to our state and for running for governor. Primaries make us stronger, and it takes courage and hard work to run for office. We’re all on the same team, and it’s time to unite the party so we can defeat Tom Tiffany and achieve the Democratic Triple-A.
I wish Sarah and her family the best and look forward to campaigning with her this fall as we work to turn Wisconsin blue.