Photo: Campaign website
Sara Rodriguez
DemocraticWithdrawnLieutenant Governor
ⓘ What do the party and ideology labels mean?
On the ballot, partisan candidates run under a party — in Wisconsin almost always Democratic or Republican, with the occasional third-party or independent candidate. Words like progressive, conservative, libertarian, or democratic socialist are labels people use to describe themselves, not separate parties on the ballot. A label is a starting point; each candidate's sourced positions show where they actually stand.
How we do this →What is Sara Rodriguez running for?
Sara Rodriguez is on the ballot for Governor of Wisconsin in the August 11, 2026 Wisconsin partisan primary. 10 other candidates are on the ballot.
Also on this ballot
- Joel Brennan (Democratic)
- David Crowley (Democratic)
- Francesca Hong (Democratic)
- Kelda Roys (Democratic)
- Tom Tiffany (Republican)
- Andy Manske (Republican)
- Oliver Carranza (Independent)
- Crystal Harper (Independent)
- Mike Kohn (Independent)
- Korey Streich (Independent)
Who is Sara Rodriguez?
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin under Gov. Tony Evers; formerly represented portions of Waukesha and Milwaukee counties in the state Assembly; registered nurse; withdrew citing campaign finance reporting issues
Withdrew July 17, 2026 after discovering campaign finance mismanagement; campaign manager fired over unreported fundraising shortfall.
ⓘ How do I read these campaign-finance numbers?
Individual contributions come from people; PAC (political action committee) money comes from organized groups. Cash-on-hand is what a campaign has left to spend. Money shows who is backing a campaign — it is not an endorsement by us, and more money does not mean a candidate is better.
How we do this →Top reported contributors
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 PAC (Pewaukee)$84,000
- Hans Dawson (Richfield)$20,000
- Ronald D. Abramson (Washington)$20,000
- 313 PUBLIC AFFAI SALE (Washington)$20,000
- MARTIN J SCHREIBER (Milwaukee)$20,000
Show 5 more
- Heidi Dawson (Hubertus)$20,000
- Lynde Uihlein (Port Washington)$20,000
- Sara Rodriguez (Waukesha)$20,000
- Democracy Engine (Washington)$19,832
- Gusto (San Francisco)$15,729
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Top organization & PAC donors
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 PAC (Pewaukee)$84,000
- 313 PUBLIC AFFAI SALE (Washington)$20,000
- Democracy Engine (Washington)$19,832
- Gusto (San Francisco)$15,729
- GRP HEALTH RCVB GHC Prem 4458 (Madison)$13,389
Show 5 more
- Michigan Blueprint (Grand Rapids)$10,395
- Landmark Credit Union (Brookfied)$5,502
- Shopify (New York)$4,593
- Expedia (Seattle)$2,201
- Reach Progress Pbc Reach. (Long Island City)$1,039
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Where the money comes from
| Individuals | 75% | $521,729 | 1527 donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Businesses | 25% | $177,128 | 19 donors |
| Other | 0% | $450 | 3 donors |
11% from donations under $200 (1,031 donors)
- under $200$59,815 · 1,031 donors
- $200–$999$132,623 · 381 donors
- $1,000 and up$329,291 · 115 donors
Individual donors only, grouped by each donor's total
79% from Wisconsin
- Wisconsin$554,867 · 1,353 donors
- Out of state$143,955 · 192 donors
- Unknown$35 · 1 donors
Individuals and businesses; committees excluded
Monthly fundraising
| 2026-01 | $37,391 |
|---|---|
| 2026-02 | $65,250 |
| 2026-03 | $61,219 |
| 2026-04 | $34,135 |
| 2026-05 | $74,397 |
| 2026-06 | $136,483 |
| 2026-07 | $290,433 |
Itemized contributions, filings through Aug 3, 2026 · Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine)
Political ads about Sara Rodriguez
Ads a BadgerBrief editor confirmed are about Sara Rodriguez, from the Meta Ad Library. Spend is the range Meta discloses.
- Support$7,000–$7,999
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez knows what families are going through, because she's been there too. She'll always fight for Wisconsin families.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$3,500–$3,999
It's a too familiar story. Families are doing everything right and yet they keep falling behind. Sara Rodriguez is fighting to make life more affordable for every Wisconsin family.
View ad on Meta ↗
In the news about Sara Rodriguez
Coverage a BadgerBrief editor reviewed and confirmed belongs here. We link out — we don’t summarize. How we handle coverage ↗
- Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez drops out of Wisconsin governor 2026 ↗2026-07-17Wisconsin Public Radio · news outlet · The outlet is funded through a combination of state appropriations, listener donations, and grants.Wisconsin Public Radio is owned by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin System, Board of Regents. source ↗
- Governor candidate Sara Rodriguez fires campaign head for finance inaccuracies ↗2026-07-13Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · news outletGannett
Sources
- referenceBallotpedia
- reportedPBS Wisconsin
- reportedPBS Wisconsin — Rodriguez drops out
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