Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez launches gubernatorial bid
July 25 (UPI) -- Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is running for governor, the former emergency room nurse confirmed Friday.
"I'm used to being on my feet and getting right to the point, so let's go. First, I have an announcement. I'm running for governor," Rodriguez announced in a video released Friday, her 50th birthday.
Rodriguez joins the Democratic primary field to replace Gov. Tony Evers, D-Wis.
Evers, 73, announced in a video Thursday he would not seek re-election in November when he will turn 74. Evers has been the Governor of Wisconsin for six years and in public service for 50 years.
Rodriguez is the first big name to enter the race to replace Evers.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley confirmed Thursday to Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin that he plans to run.
Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes posted a photo of himself with Evers on X Thursday, thanking him for his service. Barnes served as lieutenant governor during Evers' first term and has hinted at a run for the office.
Rodriguez previously worked in the emergency department of Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center. She later took a job at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 2004 and 2006 before returning to Wisconsin.
Increasing salaries for public teachers and expanding Medicaid access are among the promises Rodriguez makes in the video.
"Look, we've got a real shot at flipping the state Legislature and with a Democratic governor, we can finally expand Medicaid and boost our healthcare workforce," Rodriguez says in the video, that also touches on her family's working-class roots in Wisconsin.
"With a Democratic governor, we can finally expand Medicaid and boost our healthcare workforce, strengthen our farms, unions, and small businesses, fund our public schools and give teachers the raise they've earned. That's the right path."
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Moore mentioned pregnant 9-year-old Moore made the statement about the pregnant 9-year-old during the hearing at 38:57 of the video recording available via the Louisiana House of Representatives' official website. Moore stated that she was "aware of a nine year old, in [her] area, pregnant" and that she was struggling to reconcile her feelings about the case with her religious beliefs. Moore also added that her mother was raped at the age of 13 and had her at 14. "So I do struggle with it. I know we got to protect our children, but this point right now, I cannot vote yes," she said. Boyd, who authored the bill, also mentioned she was aware of a "Louisiana girl who was raped and gave birth at 13 years old and a 9-year-old girl who became pregnant after being sexually assaulted." All in all, while it's true that Louisiana lawmakers rejected a bill that would have allowed abortion in cases of child rape, there was no confirmed evidence that the decision directly affected a specific 9-year-old. Moore mentioned being aware of such a case during the hearing, but we were unable to independently verify the claim. As of this writing, Louisiana abortion law does not include an exception for rape or incest. - YouTube. Accessed 11 June 2025. Agenda - Administration of Criminal Justice. Accessed 11 June 2025. HB215. Accessed 11 June 2025. ---. Accessed 11 June 2025. LA House On-Demand Video. Accessed 11 June 2025. Louisiana House of Representatives 24-28. Accessed 11 June 2025. "Louisiana Lawmakers Reject Adding Exceptions for Some Rape Cases to Abortion Ban." AP News, 3 June 2025, Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature. Accessed 11 June 2025.
