Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers threw his support behind Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley on Saturday, backing the revived gubernatorial campaign just a day after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez exited the race abruptly.
Evers, who opted not to run for another term, declared his endorsement in a statement posted on X, saying he is “all in” on Crowley because he understands the challenges facing working families and has real plans to help. “He’s not just a candidate who can win in November, but he’s the kind of person who cares about doing the job right,” Evers wrote, adding that Crowley has the experience to make tough decisions and a proven ability to work across party lines.
The governor acknowledged that while Rodriguez was still in the contest, he had refrained from endorsing either candidate, preferring to let them make their case to voters. Crowley made his comeback official during a Saturday press conference, warning that Democrats cannot afford to head into the general election with a nominee who lacks experience, record, or the coalition needed to win. “This election is too important to gamble on,” he said.
Crowley’s return comes just over a week after he suspended his initial run to rally behind Rodriguez. Her campaign ended after she disclosed major errors in financial reporting, which she said would have been a persistent distraction. For more on that, see our coverage of Rodriguez's exit due to campaign finance issues.
The Democratic primary is set for August 11, with a crowded field that includes former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, state Representative Francesca Hong, state Senator Kelda Roys, and former Department of Administration head Joel Brennan. The eventual nominee will likely face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, who has President Trump’s backing, in the general election.
Hong welcomed Crowley back into the race, telling Wisconsin Public Radio that “competition is good for democracy” and that voters deserve a substantive debate about the state’s future. While Democrats hold a strong advantage in Wisconsin, internal party dynamics and recent momentum for democratic socialists in other races could give Hong an edge. A June straw poll from WisPolitics/State Affairs showed her in second place behind Rodriguez, 23 percent to 28 percent.
The Cook Political Report rates the seat as a “toss up,” underscoring the high stakes. The endorsement from Evers could consolidate support for Crowley, but the race remains fluid as candidates jockey for position ahead of the primary.
