Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s reentry into the Democratic primary for governor marked the end of a tumultuous week in the Wisconsin race.
The demise of Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez campaign, that until this week appeared to be gaining momentum, began Sunday with the firing of her campaign manager for financial mismanagement and ended with Rodriguez’s withdrawal from the race on July 17.
Crowley’s campaign confirmed he would get back into the race later that day, and held a formal announcement on July 18.
Here is how Crowley’s remaining Democratic rivals responded to his decision to restart his campaign a little over a week after ending it.
State Rep. Francesca Hong
The Madison lawmaker said she welcomes Crowley’s return to the race and will remain focused on building a winning coalition.
“Competition is good for democracy, and voters deserve a substantive debate about the future of our state,” Hong said in a statement. “Our campaign will remain focused on building the working-class coalition it will take to defeat Tom Tiffany and deliver permanent affordability for Wisconsin families.”
In response to the governor’s endorsement, Hong said she respects his decision but “the real power belongs to Wisconsin voters, and they have made their preference clear, too.”
“We are the leading campaign because people are ready for bold, working-class leadership that meets the urgency of this moment,” she said.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes
In a statement, Barnes campaign manager Darby O’Connor said Crowley “left this race for a reason.”
“He and his allies spent nearly a million dollars but gained absolutely no traction and was stuck in the low single digits,” O’Connor said.
“With just three weeks until Election Day and after nearly 70,000 people have voted, this Hail Mary serves no purpose other than playing spoiler and handing our state to Trump’s handpicked candidate in Tom Tiffany.”
State Sen. Kelda Roys
“We need to move forward and unite behind the strongest candidate to beat Tom Tiffany and deliver a Democratic Legislature, which is Kelda Roys,” said Roys campaign spokesman Jalen Knuteson.
“We have been on TV statewide for over a month and still have more cash on hand than most of the field, the most endorsements by far, and the most momentum.”
Former Tony Evers cabinet official Joel Brennan
“Joel Brennan is in this race to win it,” Brennan campaign manager Sarah Abel said.
“Wisconsin needs a candidate who can beat Tom Tiffany in November and get to work for Wisconsin families from day one. That was true yesterday and it’s still true today – no matter who else is in or out. Joel will continue making that case directly to the people who have the power to decide: the voters of Wisconsin.”
Former candidate Missy Hughes
Hughes, the former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO, posted on X on Friday urging Crowley to “get back in this race.”
Hughes had endorsed Rodriguez when she exited the race, as had Crowley.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What the other Democrats said about David Crowley rejoining the race
Reporting by Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
