American politician and former Wisconsin lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor Rodriguez has fired her campaign manager after discovering miscounted contributions and expenses, revealing the campaign is underfunded ahead of Wisconsin’s August 11 primary. She says she will move forward and correct the records, with endorsements shifting as the race tightens.
Wisconsin’s governor race enters a new phase as Gov. Tony Evers endorses Milwaukee County Executive Nikiu Crowley, boosting his bid after a surprise departure by Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Crowley, who has paused his campaign, is re-entering a crowded Democratic primary to face Francesca Hong, Mandela Barnes, Kelda Roys and Joel Brennan ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
The Wisconsin Democratic field has shifted as former lieutenant governor Barnes withdraws, leaving Francesca Hong’s rise in the liberal wing and David Crowley’s reentry; the primary is Aug. 11 with Tiffany as the likely Republican challenger.
In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong has lost the governor's primary to David Crowley by less than 1 point, a dramatic turn after polls showed she led by double digits. The result mirrors a broader pattern of polling misses and rising momentum for progressive candidates in state races. Prediction markets also underestimated Crowley’s chances.
Crowley has secured a narrow Democratic primary victory in Wisconsin and will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November. Hong’s near-win signals ongoing tensions within the party between centrist and progressive wings, with implications for the general election in a battleground state.