MADISON – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is bowing out of the race for governor.
Crowley was considered a favorite to win by Democrats early in the race, and posted the highest fundraising haul in January, but ultimately failed to gain enough traction to overcome the field’s frontrunners, Francesca Hong and Mandela Barnes.
His departure comes the same week Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez announced a $1 million ad buy as she seeks to raise her position that is within striking distance of Hong and Barnes.
“It has become clear that I will not be the Democratic nominee for Governor, so today I amstepping out of this race, but I am not stepping away from the work,” Crowley said in a statement.
“Politics should not be about who talks the loudest. It’s about showing up, working with anyone who wants to solve the problem, and delivering results people can see in their own communities.”
Crowley, the only candidate in the field currently overseeing a large staff and annual budget, ran on his experience leading the state’s largest county and a plan to build on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ work.
He launched his campaign for governor just a year after securing a second term as the county’s leader. His current term will end in 2028.
Crowley was the second candidate to join the field and is the second Democrat to leave the race before the Aug. 11 primary. Missy Hughes dropped out in June. Unlike Hughes, Crowley did not offer an endorsement of another candidate in the field. Hughes endorsed Rodriguez.
In addition to Hong, Barnes and Rodriguez, candidates Kelda Roys and Joel Brennan remain in the race. The wide open Democratic field emerged after Evers announced a year ago he would not seek a third term as governor.
The Democrat who advances out of the Aug. 11 primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.
One statewide televised debate is scheduled before the primary — July 28, hosted by WISN-TV .
Molly Beck and Jessie Opoien can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com and jessie.opoien@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley withdraws from governor’s race
Reporting by Molly Beck and Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Molly Beck and Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
