$1 million missing from Sara Rodriguez’s campaign account triggered her Friday withdrawal, prompting Gov. Tony Evers to seriously consider backing an effort to bring Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley back into the Democratic primary.
Crowley, who ended his bid just a week ago and endorsed Rodriguez, is now weighing a return, according to a source close to him, as Democratic strategists work behind the scenes to reopen his candidacy.
The scramble follows a rapid shake-up in a race where Mandela Barnes had been seen as the candidate to beat, while Francesca Hong and Rodriguez had also led most recent polling among decided Democratic voters.
June 30 finance reports showed Hong with $410,563 cash on hand, Roys with $406,493, Brennan with $359,583, Crowley with $315,179 and Barnes with $204,208 heading into the now wide-open contest.
The Democratic nominee will face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in November after Evers decided last year not to seek a third term.