David Crowley officially endorses Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin governor

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin governor on July 9. 

The endorsement comes just a day after Crowley dropped out of the governor’s race. Crowley said Democrats must unite behind the candidate ready to defeat Republican Tom Tiffany. 

“I’ve said all along that the next governor’s job description is simple: make this state affordable, make sure care shows up for families before a crisis hits, and build real opportunity that runs from the classroom to a good-paying job,” Crowley said in a statement. “That was the mission of my campaign, and it’s exactly what Sara Rodriguez has spent her career doing. She doesn’t just meet that job description; she’s lived it, on the front lines, for the people who need it most. That’s the governor Wisconsin needs, and that’s why I’m proud to stand with her.”

Although Crowley struggled with name recognition statewide, he had strong support in Milwaukee’s Black community, from which he comes from. He is now asking those supporters to back Rodriguez. 

“David Crowley has shown what leadership looks like by taking on tough challenges and delivering results for Milwaukee County,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside David and have seen firsthand how he leads when the stakes are high. I have tremendous respect for his leadership, and his support means a great deal because I’ve seen firsthand the difference he’s made for the people of Milwaukee County. We share a belief that government should solve problems and put people first. We may have started this race on different paths, but today we’re united in the same fight: delivering for Wisconsin families.”

Rodriguez appears to have momentum in the race, although her own polling shows that she is in third with Francesca Hong and Mandela Barnes leading the field. 

The Democratic primary election is Aug. 11.