'There was no establishment process': Crowley defends rapid Rodriguez endorsement
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Less than 24 hours after suspending his campaign for governor, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley stood with Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez Thursday and explained why we was immediately endorsing her in a still-crowded Democratic primary.
Crowley's departure narrowed the Democratic field to five candidates: Rodriguez, State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, State Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and former Dept. of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan.
Crowley told reporters downtown at the Milwaukee Athletic Club he was backing Rodriguez because he believed she gives Democrats their best shot at both beating both Congressman Tom Tiffany, the presumptive Republican candidate for governor, and flipping the Legislature to Democratic control for the first time in 16 years.
"Sara has the ability to build the coalition Democrats need in order to win our race and to win our state Assembly and state Senate," Crowley said. "We need that trifecta."
A CBS 58 reporter asked Crowley why he didn't think other Democratic candidates had just as good of a shot at beating Tiffany and helping drive turnout in legislative races.
"I know what it takes to actually build a coalition," Crowley replied. "I'm not gonna speak to the other candidates, but I've seen the lieutenant governor put in the work needed to build the necessary relationships, but also, to have the tough conversations."
The most recent polling, including county-level straw polls, has Rodriguez, Hong and Barnes as the frontrunners with support for Roys and Brennan barely registering.
Hong has ascended in the race, thanks to grassroots support. Critics maintain Crowley's rapid endorsement is a protection of the status quo as Rodriguez is more of a centrist than Hong, who is openly running as a democratic socialist.
Supporters of Crowley's decision maintain it's practical politics because they believe Rodriguez has a better chance of winning over moderate voters while still turning out liberals. Crowley, himself, said nobody pressured him into backing Rodriguez.
"I want to be very clear; there was no establishment process," he said. "This is me making a decision in this race to support Sara Rodriguez because I believe she is the best candidate."
When asked what she'd tell voters who think the endorsement is establishment party politics, Rodriguez said voters should look at the policy platform outlined on her website.
"Look at what I've done for the people of Wisconsin and look at what I'm planning to do for the people of Wisconsin," she said. "And I think you will see the things I am proposing are things that Wisconsinites want."
Other candidates weigh in
Hong's campaign manager, Becky Cooper, told CBS 58 in a statement Thursday Hong respected Crowley's decision to drop out and endorse Rodriguez, but she added Hong believes most Crowley voters will find her affordability-based platform is most in line with their priorities.
"We respect his decision, but feel his former supporters’ concerns align much more closely with our platform of permanent affordability for the working class," Cooper said. "We encourage them to visit our website and would welcome them on our team."
Barnes' campaign said they believe Crowley's decision to leave the race benefits Barnes the most. Spokesperson Cole Wozniak said internal polling done in April showed most Crowley voters' second choice is Barnes.
"I hope all those inspired by David’s campaign can find a place in our movement to end the rigged system that’s holding back Wisconsin families," Barnes said on social media. "It’s time for us all to come together to beat Tom Tiffany."
Sarah Abel, a spokesperson for Brennan, said in an email, "We respect David Crowley and wish him well. Joel is focused on making his case to Wisconsin voters between now and August 11."
In a statement, Tiffany's campaign tried to tie Rodriguez to a budget maneuver Evers signed in 2023, allowing school districts to raise property tax revenue limits for 400 years. It also highlighted a gaffe earlier this year in which Rodriguez said she'd craft much of the state budget "behind a curtain" as governor.
"Well, [Rodriguez's] record speaks for itself," the campaign's response account posted. "400-year property tax hike, over $2 billion in higher utility rate increases, and writing the entire state budget “behind a curtain.”
The next, best snapshot of the race will come on July 22, when the Marquette Law School Poll releases a new survey on the race. It will include both a new poll on the remaining primary candidates, as well as hypothetical head-to-head matchups against Tiffany.