MADISON – Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes is dropping out of the Democratic primary race for governor and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.
Hughes, who was the most moderate candidate in the Democratic field for governor, suspended her campaign days after placing last in a straw poll of party delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention in Madison.
With less than two months until the Aug. 11 primary election, Hughes’ endorsement of Rodriguez comes as some Democrats are eyeing an alternative to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who leans further left than current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Hong and Barnes are considered frontrunners in the primary race according to statewide polling.
In a statement, Hughes flicked at the approach of Hong and other candidates to her left who have proposed significant changes to state government.
“I believe there is great hope in these small efforts to find common ground. I wanted to make sure that Wisconsinites understand we have created something valuable and that investing in ourselves and our communities is well-deserved,” Hughes said. “We do not need to tear it all down, and there is real and important work to do to improve what we already have.”
At a press conference in Madison where she appeared with Rodriguez, Hughes said her decision to end her campaign is driven by an effort to “coalesce around someone who can win in November.”
“This job is about running the state, and getting things done. As you consider what is important to you, I urge you to look beyond the talking points, social media posts, and gilded promises and consider what you think is essential to do the job,” she said in a separate statement. “Stop asking, ‘Who will win?’ and start asking who you trust to make big decisions that impact our families and the wellbeing of our loved ones, neighbors and communities.”
Rodriguez, at the Madison event, said Hughes “could have walked away and let this race play out.”
“But instead, she made a choice. It’s a hard one. Because she believes leadership involves making choices,” she said.
Hughes said other Democratic candidates should also suspend their campaigns and back Rodriguez.
Kelda Roys, a state senator who is running in the Democratic primary for governor, said through a spokesman that Hughes’ endorsement “has no impact on the state of the race.”
“Voters are looking for a fighter who can beat Tiffany and stand up to Trump. After a generation of right-wing policies, this isn’t a moment for timid moderates with no track record of delivering,” Roys campaign spokesman Jalen Knuteson said in a statement.
Jessie Opoien of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrat Missy Hughes drops out of Wisconsin governor race
Reporting by Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
