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<h1 style="text-align: center;">LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR ALL WISCONSINITES</h1><h3>As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower prices and guarantee affordable, reliable health care for every person in Wisconsin.</h3>Health care in Wisconsin has become harder to afford and harder to count on. People are being squeezed by rising premiums, sky-high deductibles, and unexpected bills – all while worrying that their coverage could change or disappear without warning. Every dollar swallowed by health care is a dollar that can’t go toward everyday needs, and too often people are forced to put off doctor visits, ration medications, or hope a problem doesn’t get worse because they simply can’t afford to deal with it right now. At the same time, Wisconsinites are caught in the middle of political dysfunction. Decisions made in Washington, DC and stalemates in Madison have left care more expensive, less accessible, and increasingly uncertain – from expiring ACA tax credits to hospital closures, gaps in mental health care, and ongoing threats to reproductive freedom. People deserve better than a system that shifts with elections and court cases. Wisconsin can build a health care system that is affordable, dependable, and protected – and as governor, Sara Rodriguez will lead that work.<ol><li>Launch BadgerChoice: A Wisconsin Public Health Insurance Option<ul><li>Sara will launch BadgerChoice, a Wisconsin-governed public option offering affordable and reliable coverage.</li><li>This allows anyone priced out of private insurance – farmers, small business owners, early retirees, young adults – to buy in.</li><li>Use Wisconsin’s bargaining power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, hospital care, and mental health services.</li><li>Allow people to keep their current plan but expand choice.</li></ul></li><li>Pass a Wisconsin Health Care Bill of Rights<ul><li>Sara will enshrine core health protections into Wisconsin law so they can’t be rolled back by Congress or the courts.</li><li>Permanently protect people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage, charged more, or kicked off their plan.</li><li>Ban lifetime and annual coverage limits so no family is cut off from care when they need it most.</li><li>End surprise medical billing and strengthen hospital financial assistance requirements.</li></ul></li><li>Protect and Expand BadgerCare<ul><li>Defend and strengthen BadgerCare so more Wisconsinites can access affordable coverage.</li><li>Ensure people aren’t pushed off coverage because of political gridlock or shifting federal priorities.</li></ul></li><li>Guarantee Mental Health Care as Equal to Physical Health Care<ul><li>Sara will enforce true mental health parity so insurance covers mental health and addiction care the same way it covers physical care.</li><li>Expand access to crisis intervention, adolescent mental health services, and substance-use treatment.</li><li>Give the state real authority to hold insurers accountable when they deny or delay mental health care.</li></ul></li><li>Protect Reproductive Freedom<ul><li>Sara will codify Roe vs. Wade into Wisconsin law and protect access to abortion, miscarriage care, ectopic pregnancy care, and fertility treatments.</li></ul></li><li>Guarantee 12 Months of Postpartum Coverage<ul><li>Sara will end Wisconsin’s dangerous 60-day postpartum cutoff, guaranteeing a full year of Medicaid coverage after birth.</li><li>This addresses postpartum depression, heart complications, and maternal mortality, all conditions that often appear months after delivery.</li></ul></li><li>Protect Rural Hospitals and Emergency Care<ul><li>Sara will work with the legislature to establish a Rural Health Stabilization Fund to keep ERs, maternity wards, and behavioral health services open.</li><li>This expands telehealth and mobile crisis services so people aren’t driving hours for care and ensures fair reimbursement so hospitals can keep their doors open.</li></ul></li></ol>

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<h2 style="text-align: center;">A Note from Sara</h2>Hi, I’m Sara Rodriguez and I’m running for governor because Wisconsin families deserve leadership that shows up, listens, and gets things done.Whether caring for patients on the night shift in a crowded ER, leading the healthcare technology division at a Fortune 500 company, or working across Wisconsin as Lieutenant Governor, I’ve approached challenges with one goal: find practical solutions that actually improve people’s lives.Now I’m ready to bring that steady, no-nonsense leadership to the Governor’s Office, and make sure Wisconsin works for every family.As Lieutenant Governor, I’ve made it a point to meet with neighbors in all 72 counties every year, because I believe you have to listen first, focus on results, and never lose sight of the people impacted by decisions. I’ve stood on factory floors, walked through farm fields, and sat at kitchen tables across the state with neighbors who are doing everything right, but still getting squeezed. By rising costs. By medical bills. By child care and student debt. And by a political climate that’s more focused on shouting matches than solving problems.We don’t have to settle for that. We can do better. And, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and prove it.I’ll keep showing up, keep listening, and keep fighting for you, because government should be as decent, practical, and hardworking as the people it serves. That’s the kind of governor I’ll be. One who works as hard as you do and never forgets who’s really in charge: you. We’ve got a chance to build something better. So let’s get to work. Sign up, chip in, get involved, and let’s move Wisconsin forward.

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<h3>Building a Stronger Wisconsin Together</h3>Sara Rodriguez is running for governor to tackle the issues that matter most to Wisconsin families. As Lieutenant Governor, she’s seen how rising costs, political gridlock, and broken systems are holding people back. That’s why she’s focused on real, common-sense solutions: cutting costs, easing everyday burdens, and expanding opportunity across the state. Sara will fight to make healthcare and child care more affordable, invest in strong public schools, and protect reproductive freedom. She’ll prioritize safe communities, clean water, and a future-ready economy that works for everyone—from union workers and small business owners to farmers and families.

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From family farms to Main Street businesses, people across our state know she gets results. That’s why community leaders and hard working Wisconsinites are standing with Sara to be our next Governor.

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As governor, Sara will lower costs, deliver results, and put people first.

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<h3>Putting People First. Fighting for Wisconsin.</h3>Sara Rodriguez is a lifelong problem-solver and a trusted statewide leader who’s never been afraid to step up when it matters most. As Lieutenant Governor, she’s traveled to all 72 counties, working shoulder-to-shoulder with Governor Evers to deliver results and stand up for the people of Wisconsin.Now, she’s running for Governor to build a Wisconsin where every family has a fair shot, no matter their ZIP code, background, or bank account.Sara isn’t a career politician. She’s a nurse, a small business owner, a working mom, and someone who came to public service the hard way: by living the challenges so many Wisconsinites face and deciding to do something about it. From emergency rooms to boardrooms to the state Capitol, she’s shown up, listened, and solved problems. And she’s ready to do it again as Governor. <h4>A Wisconsin Story</h4>Sara is a proud daughter of Wisconsin. Born in Milwaukee and raised in Brookfield, she comes from a working-class union family that knew how to stretch a dollar. Her mom was a teaching assistant for kids with special needs and a proud WEAC member. Her dad, a Vietnam veteran, came home and worked at Wisconsin Bell fixing phones. Her grandparents were dairy farmers in Richland County. Before starting their family, Sara’s parents lived in a trailer and saved every penny to move to a better school district. They didn’t have much, but they raised their kids with values that still guide Sara today: work hard, show up for your neighbors, never back down when something is worth fighting for. <h4>Leading Through Crisis. Fighting for Solutions.</h4>Sara didn’t set out to run for office, but she’s stepped up every time her community needed her. As a registered nurse, she worked night shifts in the ER during the height of the opioid and gun violence crises. As a public health expert with the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service, she led outbreak investigations around the world. And in Wisconsin, she served in senior leadership at one of the state’s largest health systems and as a vice president at a Fortune 100 company. But when she saw politicians ignoring the real struggles of Wisconsin families, she didn’t wait for permission. She ran for State Assembly in 2020 and flipped a Republican-held seat, defeating a four-term incumbent. Two years later, she ran and won statewide, becoming the second-highest ranking elected official in Wisconsin and a key partner to Governor Evers.&nbsp; As Lieutenant Governor, Sara has been at the forefront of efforts to lower healthcare costs, defend reproductive rights, strengthen public education, support small businesses, and invest in rural communities. Whether in a hospital, a boardroom, or the state Capitol, Sara brings a no-nonsense, people-first approach that turns real-world problems into common-sense solutions. <h4>Meeting the Moment</h4>Wisconsin families are doing everything right, and still getting squeezed. By rising costs, by political division, and by a government that too often puts partisanship ahead of people. Sara understands what’s at stake because she’s lived it—and she’s ready to meet this moment with the steady, principled leadership Wisconsin deserves.From kitchen tables to factory floors, Sara has heard the same thing across all 72 counties: families are working harder than ever and still falling behind. She’s heard from dairy farmers worried about staying afloat, veterans fighting for the benefits they earned, parents navigating unaffordable child care, and small business owners sidelined by culture war politics.They’re ready for a governor who sees them, hears them, and fights like hell for them. Sara was shaped by Wisconsin values: hard work, fairness, community, and grit. Now, she’s ready to lead with them.Because she believes in a Wisconsin where no family has to choose between paying the rent and buying groceries. Where healthcare is a right, where teachers are respected and paid what they deserve and where women have control over their own bodies. Where water is clean, no matter your ZIP code, where small businesses can thrive, and where every family has a shot at a good life.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/98a95090-2bc5-43b6-ae07-49b29d81be74/b37f53c6-bc14-41ee-906a-a57d924a1333/b37f53c6-bc14-41ee-906a-a57d924a1333.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1027%2C997&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h4>That’s what she’s fighting for. And that’s why she’s running for governor.</h4>Sara was born in Milwaukee and raised in Brookfield. She and her husband, a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, live in Waukesha County with their two kids—one in high school, the other a soon-to-be freshman at UW. Sara holds degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University and Johns Hopkins University. She’s a Girl Scout troop leader, a returned Peace Corps volunteer, and someone who still believes that government can, and should, work for the people.

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<h1 style="text-align: center;">Keep Wisconsin Kids Safe Online</h1><h3>As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect kids from predatory tech companies and hold Big Tech accountable for harms to children.</h3>Our kids are growing up online, and tech companies are exploiting them for profit. Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, hooking kids on endless scrolling and damaging their mental health. Predators use apps and games to target children. Companies collect massive amounts of data on kids without parents' knowledge or consent. And algorithms push dangerous content – eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, violence – because it keeps kids engaged and keeps profits rolling in.This didn't happen by accident. Tech companies designed it this way. They studied how to make their platforms as addictive as possible. They buried parental controls and privacy settings. They lobbied against regulation. And they prioritized growth and profits over the safety and well-being of children. Parents are doing everything they can – monitoring screen time, setting limits, having conversations – but they're up against billion-dollar companies with teams of engineers whose job is to override parental control and keep kids hooked. Parents shouldn't have to fight tech giants alone. We can protect kids online, hold companies accountable, and give parents the tools they need – but only if we're willing to stand up to Big Tech. Sara Rodriguez will.Hold Big Tech Companies and Tech CEOs Accountable for Harm<ul><li>Allow parents to sue social media companies when platforms lead to addiction and promote damaging content to children – including content related to eating disorders, substance abuse, self-harm, or exploitation</li><li>Hold tech companies accountable when social media companies and AI chatbots cause harm to kids.</li><li>Wisconsin families fought to protect kids against Big Tobacco, and won. Now it’s time to fight to protect our kids from Big Tech. </li></ul>Support Cell Phone-Free Schools<ul><li>Support and strengthen legislative efforts to ban cell phones during the entire school day in Wisconsin schools.</li><li>Phone-free schools help kids focus on learning, reduce cyberbullying during school hours, and take pressure off parents by creating environments where kids aren't constantly connected to their devices.</li><li>This complements platform accountability by addressing both the technology and the environment where kids use it. </li></ul>Ban Addictive Design Features for Kids<ul><li>Prohibit online platforms from deploying addictive features designed to maximize screen time and cause addiction for users under the age of 18 - including infinite scroll, autoplay, and manipulative notifications – applying to all platforms regardless of size.</li><li>Kids' brains are still developing, making them more vulnerable to addiction by design – tech companies know this and exploit their vulnerability by hiring psychologists and brain scientists to manipulate them into compulsively using their platforms.</li><li>Recent legislation requires some large platforms to turn off these features for kids – Sara's plan bans them from being accessed by kids in the first place.</li><li>Unlike the Assembly bills, Sara’s plan puts the responsibility on tech companies to prevent kids from accessing addictive features – not on parents. </li></ul>Ban Surveillance Advertising to Children<ul><li>Prohibit all forms of surveillance advertising to anyone under the age of 18, including ads based on kids’ personal data, browsing history, political views, religious beliefs, or algorithmic profiling.</li><li>Tech companies shouldn't be spying on kids across the internet to sell their data to advertisers or manipulate their behavior.</li><li>Platforms must verify age without requiring invasive data collection from parents. </li></ul>Strengthen Protections Against Online Predators<ul><li>Support stronger criminal penalties for online child exploitation, grooming, and sextortion.</li><li>Require platforms to implement proactive detection and reporting systems to identify and remove predatory behavior.</li><li>Ensure law enforcement has the training and resources to investigate online crimes against children.</li><li>Hold tech companies accountable when their products sexualize kids, including creating nonconsensual sexual imagery of kids and by engaging in sexual roleplay conversations with minors.&nbsp; </li></ul>Require Transparency and Independent Audits<ul><li>Require social media platforms to disclose how their algorithms work, what content is being promoted to children, and what data is being collected.</li><li>Independent audits will verify compliance with safety standards and identify harm.</li><li>Parents and policymakers deserve to know what these platforms are doing to our kids and whether they are keeping our kids safe. </li></ul>Create an Office of Digital and Technology Policy<ul><li>Establish an executive branch office to coordinate across state agencies and strengthen protections for kids online, modernize technological governance, and lead state efforts in online safety, artificial intelligence oversight, cybersecurity, and emerging technology policy.</li><li>This office will modernize our approach to digital governance, ensuring strong consumer protections, safeguarding kids and families, and strengthening Wisconsin’s commitment to innovation, economic growth, and responsible leadership in emerging industries.</li></ul>

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Sara has spent her life solving tough problems and delivering results. A nurse, public health leader, entrepreneur, community advocate, and proud mom, she currently serves as Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor — and now she’s running for Governor to lead Wisconsin forward.

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Rodriguez urges lawmakers and local leaders to adopt safeguards, transparency standards, and accountability measures as ICE activity escalates in WisconsinMADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez today called on Wisconsin legislators, county officials, mayors, and local councils to take immediate action to protect public safety, civil rights, and the integrity of communities across the state by adopting strong protections and transparency standards governing federal immigration enforcement operating in Wisconsin. Rodriguez’s call comes amid credible reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Wisconsin over the past week, particularly in communities bordering Minnesota, and as ICE continues to sign new leases for enforcement facilities within the state. “No one should be afraid to drop off their kids at school, seek medical care, go to court, or attend worship because enforcement actions are happening without clear rules or accountability,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. “Wisconsin can be a state that enforces the law and a state that protects families, patients, students, and worshippers from reckless and unaccountable actions. Those goals are not in conflict – in fact, they are inseparable.” Rodriguez outlined a clear set of actions to protect communities and uphold the rule of law, including safeguarding sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, courthouses, child-care centers, domestic violence shelters, and places of worship; requiring judicial warrants for civil immigration arrests; mandating that federal agents clearly identify themselves and use body cameras; demanding full transparency around ICE facilities and operations in Wisconsin; and ensuring meaningful accountability when constitutional rights are violated. “If you carry a badge, you should show your face, identify yourself, and answer for your actions,” Rodriguez said. “Law enforcement exists to protect the public. That mission depends on trust, and trust depends on visibility, clear rules, and accountability. Wisconsin has both the right and the responsibility to demand that.” Rodriguez was clear that these protections are about accountability and public safety, not blocking lawful enforcement. These actions do not stop ICE from making criminal arrests with a judicial warrant, prevent deportation of people convicted of violent crimes, or interfere with state or local law enforcement enforcing their own laws. “If someone is convicted of a violent crime and is in the country unlawfully, federal law requires deportation,” Rodriguez said. “But unidentified, masked agents conducting civil arrests at schools, hospitals, or courthouses undermines safety, trust, and the rule of law. Wisconsin has both the right and the responsibility to demand better.” PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES &amp; DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITYSara Rodriguez’s Public Safety &amp; Rule of Law Call to Actions Protect Sensitive Locations: Families should not have to choose between their safety and accessing justice, health care, education, or worship. Sara calls for ensuring that essential community spaces remain safe and accessible by banning civil immigration enforcement actions in and around:&nbsp;<ul><li>Courthouses</li><li>Hospitals and health clinics</li><li>Licensed child-care centers and daycares</li><li>Schools and institutions of higher education</li><li>Domestic violence shelters</li><li>Places of worship</li></ul>Exceptions:<ul><li>A judicial warrant</li><li>Imminent threats to public safety </li></ul>Require Warrants, Identification, and Transparency: Sara demands clear standards for any federal immigration enforcement operating in Wisconsin:<ul><li>A judicial warrant required for any civil immigration arrest or detention.</li><li>No civil immigration enforcement inside state offices or agencies without a warrant.</li><li>ICE agents must be unmasked, clearly identify themselves, and wear uniforms displaying a name or badge number.</li><li>Body cameras required for ICE agents operating in Wisconsin.</li><li>All ICE facilities and leases in Wisconsin must be fully disclosed to the state. </li></ul>Enforce Accountability When Rights Are Violated: No one is above the law in Wisconsin. Sara supports allowing individuals to hold officers accountable when constitutional rights are knowingly violated during civil immigration enforcement by:<ul><li>Allowing individuals to sue any officer — federal or otherwise — who knowingly violates constitutional rights.</li><li>Providing for:<ul><li>Statutory damages of at least $10,000</li><li>Compensatory and punitive damages</li><li>Attorneys’ fees </li></ul></li></ul>Support Communities and Access to Services: As enforcement activity increases, Wisconsin must ensure residents can still access essential services. Public safety depends on people feeling safe enough to participate in civic life. Sara urges state and local agencies to:<ul><li>Offer remote options, deadline extensions, or alternative access where possible.</li><li>Ensure people can access courts, health care, education, and public services without fear. </li></ul>Rodriguez is available for interviews. Media inquiries should contact <a href="mailto:press@saraforwi.com">press@saraforwi.com</a>.&nbsp; ###

MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez today called on Wisconsin legislators, county officials, mayors, and local councils to take immediate action to protect public safety, civil rights, and the integrity of communities across the state by adopting strong protections and transparency standards governing federal immigration enforcement operating in Wisconsin.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Wisconsin Communities, Demand Accountability from Federal Immigration Enforcement

Profile highlights Rodriguez’s ER nurse-to–lieutenant governor journey and her plan to lower costs for Wisconsin familiesMILWAUKEE, WI—A new in-depth <a href="https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/sara-rodriguezs-case-for-fixing-what-is-breaking-us/">profile in Shepherd Express</a> spotlights Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez’s case for addressing the affordability pressures squeezing Wisconsin families and the lived experience that shapes her approach to leadership.The feature, <a href="https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/sara-rodriguezs-case-for-fixing-what-is-breaking-us/">“Sara Rodriguez’s Case for Fixing What’s Breaking Us,”</a> traces Rodriguez’s conversations with Wisconsinites across all 72 counties and the recurring concerns she hears – rising health insurance premiums, child care costs that exceed rent, and prescription drugs stretched longer than intended – and what she plans to do about them as governor.Sara Rodriguez's Case for Fixing What's Breaking Usby Shepherd Express Staff, <a href="https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/sara-rodriguezs-case-for-fixing-what-is-breaking-us/">Shepherd Express</a>, Dec. 23, 2025***Across Wisconsin, the conversations tend to follow a familiar pattern. In community rooms and coffee shops, at union halls and school gyms, people pull Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez aside and start with the same categories of unease: the prescription they now stretch longer than intended, the childcare bill that exceeds the rent, the insurance premium that jumped again without explanation. Rodriguez listens the way a former emergency room nurse does; not dramatically, but attentively, with steady eye contact and careful follow-up questions, with a nurse's instinct to make a person feel heard.Sara has visited all 72 Wisconsin counties three times as lieutenant governor, hearing versions of the same story repeated with local variations: families working hard, doing everything they were told was responsible, and still feeling crushed by systems that no longer worked for them.Rodriguez said, “We've normalized things that should never be normal. People paying more for health insurance than they do for their mortgage. Families working full time and often having to choose between childcare and rent. Parents choosing between filling a prescription and buying their kids' back-to-school supplies. Young people wondering if they'll ever stop living paycheck to paycheck. We must do better than this.”Wisconsin, she argues, does not simply need a manager of existing systems. We need to understand how those systems touch people's lives and who is willing to take on the structural forces driving costs upward. Her résumé reflects a career spent navigating those systems: emergency room nurse, Center for Disease Control epidemic intelligence officer, health care executive, state legislator, lieutenant governor.Rodriguez started on the overnight shift in an emergency room, where she learned the rhythm of crisis medicine and the consequences of delayed care. At the CDC, she later coordinated public health responses during emergencies, operating inside of government when lives were at stake. As a health care executive, she watched how staffing shortages, reimbursement formulas and budget decisions reverberated all the way down to the bedside.“Most politicians talk about health care like it's an abstract policy issue,” she said. “I talk about it like a place I've worked. I've held patients' hands, told families bad news, and watched people argue with insurance companies while sitting in a hospital bed. That changes how you understand the stakes.”Sara’s signature policy proposal, BadgerChoice, would establish a Wisconsin-governed public health insurance option for residents who cannot access—or cannot afford—private coverage. It is the kind of structural reform, Rodriguez argues, that becomes possible with unified Democratic control of the governor's office and the Legislature.“We don't need to wait for Washington D.C. to save us,” she said. “Wisconsin can lead. BadgerChoice is a Wisconsin solution to a Wisconsin problem.”From Superior to Janesville and everywhere in between, as lieutenant governor, Rodriguez makes her case in person and then stays put long enough to hear the response. This is her most natural posture: listening first, connecting policy to lived experience. The questions she returns to are remarkably consistent: What is working here? What isn't? What keeps you up at night? What is one thing government could do to make your life easier?While health care remains her defining credential, affordability extends to all areas including housing, groceries and childcare and serves as the connective tissue of her broader argument.“When health care costs go up, your rent becomes harder to pay,” she said. “When childcare costs as much as a second mortgage, your job choices shrink. When insurance premiums explode, people skip the doctor and get sicker. When small businesses can't afford to offer coverage, they stop expanding. It's all connected.”She describes health care, housing, childcare, prescription drugs, student debt and utility bills not as discrete policy buckets but as overlapping financial pressures that compound one another. In rural Wisconsin, she says she hears about hour-long drives to emergency rooms. In Milwaukee, it’s childcare shortages and escalating rents. In college towns, mental health access. In manufacturing corridors, wages swallowed by insurance costs.As lieutenant governor her broader policy agenda includes vigorously supporting quality K-12 public education while at the same time substantially reducing school property taxes, restoring collective bargaining, expanding childcare access, rebuilding the nursing and health care workforce and making historic investments in affordable housing. Rodriguez is also unusually candid about the political conditions required to enact those ideas. Many of them, she acknowledges, are possible only with Democratic control of the legislature.“For the first time in over a decade, Wisconsin has a real shot at a trifecta,” she said. “Voters are tired of promises without results. If we get he chance to govern, we have to prove it matters.”Born in Milwaukee and raised in Waukesha County, Sara is the daughter of a union teaching assistant and a Vietnam veteran. She worked her way through school and built a public health career, juggling school drop-offs, last-minute childcare logistics and policy briefings in the same 24 hours. She spent years caring for her father with Alzheimer's, balancing caregiving with a full-time career and the chaos of parenting two young children with the help of her husband. That experience, she says, gave her "a very personal understanding of how fragile the support systems for families really are."When asked what she believes the next governor's job is, she answers without pause.&nbsp;“Making people's lives easier,” she said. “Making it so paying a health insurance premium doesn't mean risking foreclosure. Making it so parents don't have to choose between a paycheck and childcare. Making it so kids like mine can afford to buy a home and raise a family here. Being able to take a vacation once a year. That's the job.”***Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DmWQHOhL6qDWhYlov5U8aA3PxXm1JmBr/view?usp=sharing">here</a>.&nbsp;###

MILWAUKEE, WI—A new in-depth <a href="https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/sara-rodriguezs-case-for-fixing-what-is-breaking-us/">profile in Shepherd Express</a> spotlights Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez’s case for addressing the affordability pressures squeezing Wisconsin families and the lived experience that shapes her approach to leadership.

Shepherd Express Profiles Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s Case for “Fixing What’s Breaking Us”

Rodriguez praises legislators who pushed bills to the floor; calls for continued action on health care in 2027 MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse and Democratic candidate for governor, released the following statement on the passage of legislation expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months and requiring insurance coverage for supplemental breast cancer screening: "As a nurse, I know early cancer detection and postpartum care save lives. After months of Speaker Vos blocking these bills, I'm glad a group of courageous legislators finally got this done. Expanding postpartum Medicaid to 12 months means new moms get the care they need beyond the first 60 days. And 'Gail's Law' ensures women can get the cancer screenings their doctors recommend – screenings that catch cancer when it's treatable.&nbsp;But we can't stop here. We need to protect and expand BadgerCare – Wisconsin families depend on it. We need a Wisconsin Health Care Bill of Rights that guarantees no one goes bankrupt from medical bills. And we need BadgerChoice, a Wisconsin-run public option that gives everyone a new choice for affordable health care, no matter what's happening in Washington, D.C. These bills are important steps. Next year we can finish the job. I want to thank the legislators who fought to get these bills to the floor, and I look forward to Governor Evers signing them into law."Early this month, Rodriguez <a href="https://www.saraforwi.com/news/lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-unveils-signature-health-care-proposal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">released a comprehensive health care platform</a> that includes BadgerChoice, a Wisconsin-run public health insurance option; a Wisconsin Health Care Bill of Rights that protects pre-existing conditions and patients from surprise medical bills and medical debt; and commitments to protect and expand BadgerCare. Rodriguez has made affordable, accessible health care the centerpiece of her campaign for governor. ### Lt. Governor Rodriguez is available for interviews. Media should contact <a href="mailto:press@saraforwi.com">press@saraforwi.com</a>.&nbsp; About Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez:&nbsp; Sara Rodriguez is a nurse, a working mom, and Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor. The granddaughter of Richland County dairy farmers, Sara grew up in a working-class union family. Her mom was a teaching assistant and proud WEAC member; her dad served during Vietnam and fixed phones for Wisconsin Bell. Sara worked ER night shifts to pay her way through college. She went on to respond to public health crises as a CDC intelligence officer, manage a major health care system, and run a small business — all while raising two kids and caring for her father with Alzheimer’s. Sara first ran for office because she was tired of seeing people do everything right and still fall behind. In 2020, she flipped a Republican Assembly seat in Waukesha County. Two years later, she won statewide alongside Governor Tony Evers. As lieutenant governor, she’s traveled to all 72 counties three times, listening to families, workers, and small business owners about what’s making life harder and what needs to be fixed. Sara is running for governor to lower the price we pay for health care, housing, and child care — to cut property taxes and energy bills — and to fix the broken systems holding our state back. She’s won tough races before, earned trust across county lines, and she knows how to win in Wisconsin.

MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse and Democratic candidate for governor, released the following statement on the passage of legislation expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months and requiring insurance coverage for supplemental breast cancer screening:

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Statement on Passage of Postpartum Medicaid Expansion and Breast Cancer Screening Coverage Legislation

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will fight to fully fund public schools so every kid gets a quality education and property taxes stop going up.Our public schools are the foundation of strong communities. They're where kids learn, grow, and get ready for the future. They're where neighbors come together. And they're where Wisconsin builds the workforce, the citizens, and the leaders of tomorrow. But for years, Republicans have underfunded public education, diverted public dollars to private voucher programs, and forced local school districts to keep coming back to voters to raise their own property taxes just to keep the lights on.This didn't happen by accident. It's been a deliberate strategy: starve public schools, expand vouchers, and shift the bill onto homeowners. Meanwhile, teachers are underpaid and leaving the profession. Classrooms are overcrowded. Special education services are stretched thin. And parents are being asked to fundraise for basics like books, supplies, and staff positions that should already be covered. We can fully fund public schools, pay teachers what they deserve, and cut property taxes at the same time – but only if we're willing to prioritize public dollars for public schools. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will fight to fully fund public schools so every kid gets a quality education and property taxes stop going up.

Fully Fund Our Public Schools

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will increase access to affordable housing and make it easier to buy a home in Wisconsin. Housing has become unaffordable for too many people in Wisconsin. Young families can't scrape together a down payment. Renters are being priced out of their communities by landlords raising rent faster than wages. Seniors are house-rich but cash-poor, stuck paying rising property taxes on homes they own outright. And across the state, there simply isn't enough housing – especially housing that working families can actually afford.This didn't happen by accident. For years, we've made it harder to build housing, easier for investors to buy up properties, and more expensive for first-time buyers to compete. Meanwhile, rent keeps going up, evictions keep happening, and people are being pushed further from their jobs, schools, and communities just to find something they can afford. We can build more housing, help first-time buyers get in the door, and protect renters from unfair practices – but only if we're willing to fix what's broken. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will increase access to affordable housing and make it easier to buy a home in Wisconsin.&nbsp;

Make it Possible to Buy a Home

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will stand up to reckless federal immigration enforcement and protect Wisconsin communities.No one should be afraid to drop off their kids at school, seek medical care, go to court, or attend worship because federal agents are operating without clear rules or accountability. Wisconsin can be a state that enforces the law AND a state that protects families, patients, students, and worshippers from reckless and unaccountable actions. Those goals are not in conflict – in fact, they are inseparable.Right now, Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is operating with little oversight, no transparency, and no consequences when constitutional rights are violated. If someone is convicted of a violent crime and is in the country unlawfully, federal law requires deportation. But unidentified, masked agents conducting civil arrests at schools, hospitals, or courthouses undermines safety, trust, and the rule of law. Wisconsin has both the right and the responsibility to demand better. Sara Rodriguez will.Protect Sensitive Locations<ul><li>Ban civil immigration enforcement actions in and around: </li><li>Courthouses</li><li>Hospitals and health clinics</li><li>Licensed child-care centers and daycares</li><li>Schools and institutions of higher education</li><li>Domestic violence shelters</li><li>Places of worship<ul><li>Exceptions:<ul><li>A judicial warrant</li><li>Imminent threats to public safety</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>Require Warrants, Identification, and Transparency<ul><li>A judicial warrant required for any civil immigration arrest or detention.</li><li>No civil immigration enforcement inside state offices or agencies without a warrant.</li><li>ICE agents must be unmasked, clearly identify themselves, and wear uniforms displaying a name or badge number.</li><li>Body cameras required for ICE agents operating in Wisconsin.</li><li>All ICE facilities and leases in Wisconsin must be fully disclosed to the state.</li></ul>Enforce Accountability When Rights Are Violated<ul><li>Allow individuals to sue any officer — federal or otherwise — who knowingly violates constitutional rights. Providing for:<ul><li>Statutory damages of at least $10,000</li><li>Compensatory and punitive damages</li><li>Attorneys’ fees</li></ul></li></ul>Support Communities and Access to Services<ul><li>Offer remote options, deadline extensions, or alternative access where possible.</li><li>Ensure people can access courts, health care, education, and public services without fear.</li></ul>

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will stand up to reckless federal immigration enforcement and protect Wisconsin communities.

Keep Our Communities Safe

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect Wisconsin's air, water, and land for future generations.Wisconsin's natural resources are part of who we are. Clean water to drink and swim in. Clean air to breathe. Healthy land to farm, hunt, and pass on to our kids. These aren't luxuries – they're necessities. But right now, our waters are contaminated with PFAS "forever chemicals." Our climate is changing, bringing more extreme weather and threatening farms, forests, and shorelines. And the Trump administration is rolling back protections we fought decades to win.For years, polluters have been allowed to dump chemicals into our water, corporations have fought accountability, and state and federal governments have looked the other way. Meanwhile, Wisconsin families are stuck with the bill – paying for bottled water, dealing with health problems, and watching their property values drop because their wells are contaminated. We can protect our air, water, and land. We can hold polluters accountable. We can invest in clean energy that creates jobs and lowers costs. And we can preserve Wisconsin's outdoor heritage for future generations – but only if we're willing to put people and communities ahead of corporate polluters. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect Wisconsin's air, water, and land for future generations.

Protect Our Clean Air and Water

Sara Rodriguez—the second ranking statewide leader, a registered nurse, former public health official and small business owner—is the first Democratic candidate to launch campaign for Governor to succeed Tony Evers MADISON, WI—Today Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez officially launched her campaign for Governor of Wisconsin, highlighting her roots in Wisconsin and years serving the state, and pledging to bring her decades of experience as an elected leader, nurse, public health expert, small business owner and problem-solver to the state’s top office."We are in a precarious moment in our history and we need leaders who will stand up for Wisconsin, who understand the challenges facing families here and who believe deeply in our ability to build a stronger future for our children. That’s why as a Wisconsinite, a daughter of a veteran and union member, a mom and your Lieutenant Governor, I’m proud to be announcing my campaign for Governor,” said Sara Rodriguez.&nbsp;“From working the night shift in a busy emergency room to serving as your Lieutenant Governor, I’ve spent my life tackling real problems with practical solutions. Along with Governor Evers, we’ve protected reproductive freedom, invested in public education and rebuilt our economy, and we must keep building on that progress, especially with a Democratic legislature within reach. I can promise you this: I will fight every single day as Governor to ensure that our families have more money in their pockets, our businesses and workers are thriving, and our children have the education and opportunities for the brightest future possible.”&nbsp;Rodriguez, a working mom and lifelong Wisconsinite, announced her campaign in a video released on the campaign’s social media channels. From her union family roots and her grandparents’ dairy farm, to her own experience as a public health expert and mom of two, Rodriguez’s video outlined her path from ER nurse to public health expert to state leader – and why she’s stepping up now.“First, we’ve got a maniac in the White House. His tariffs are killing our farmers and his policies are hurting our kids. Next, our legislature refuses to expand Medicaid, even though 41 other states have done it,” Rodriguez narrates in the video. “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, and it’s what you and your family deserve.”A registered nurse with master’s degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, Rodriguez previously served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC and as an executive in both public and private healthcare systems. She founded her own small business, was a vice president at a Fortune 100 company, and led population health strategy at one of the largest healthcare systems in the Midwest.Rodriguez was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020, flipping a suburban Milwaukee seat. She now serves as Wisconsin’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, elected in 2022 alongside Governor Tony Evers. She enters the race with a broad coalition of support and plans to begin a statewide listening tour next month.Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12U4DDmMlbaF2T943K2V7L9aCeX49Y5UZ?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.###&nbsp;

MADISON, WI—Today Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez officially launched her campaign for Governor of Wisconsin, highlighting her roots in Wisconsin and years serving the state, and pledging to bring her decades of experience as an elected leader, nurse, public health expert, small business owner and problem-solver to the state’s top office...

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Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Announces Run For Wisconsin Governor

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will make child care affordable and accessible for Wisconsin’s working families.Child care is too expensive in Wisconsin. Families are often paying more for child care per month than for rent or a mortgage. And when child care prices spiral, it doesn’t just affect parents. It means fewer people in the workforce, higher stress for grandparents stepping in to help, businesses that can’t hire, and kids missing out on early learning that sets them up for success. For too many families, child care has become the breaking point.For years, Wisconsin has treated child care like a personal problem instead of essential economic infrastructure. Families are left to patch together care, providers are underpaid and burning out, and communities are losing access to care altogether. We can support working parents, strengthen our workforce, and give kids a strong start – but only if we’re willing to fix what’s broken. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will make child care affordable and accessible for Wisconsin’s working families.

Make Child Care Affordable for Families

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower prices and guarantee affordable, reliable health care for every person in Wisconsin.Health care in Wisconsin has become harder to afford and harder to count on. People are being squeezed by rising premiums, sky-high deductibles, and unexpected bills – all while worrying that their coverage could change or disappear without warning. Every dollar swallowed by health care is a dollar that can’t go toward everyday needs, and too often people are forced to put off doctor visits, ration medications, or hope a problem doesn’t get worse because they simply can’t afford to deal with it right now.At the same time, Wisconsinites are caught in the middle of political dysfunction. Decisions made in Washington, DC and stalemates in Madison have left care more expensive, less accessible, and increasingly uncertain – from expiring ACA tax credits to hospital closures, gaps in mental health care, and ongoing threats to reproductive freedom. People deserve better than a system that shifts with elections and court cases. Wisconsin can build a health care system that is affordable, dependable, and protected – and as governor, Sara Rodriguez will lead that work.Launch BadgerChoice: A Wisconsin Public Health Insurance Option<ul><li>Sara will launch BadgerChoice, a Wisconsin-governed public option offering affordable and reliable coverage.</li><li>This allows anyone priced out of private insurance – farmers, small business owners, early retirees, young adults – to buy in.</li><li>Use Wisconsin’s bargaining power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, hospital care, and mental health services.</li><li>Allow people to keep their current plan but expand choice.</li></ul>Pass a Wisconsin Health Care Bill of Rights<ul><li>Sara will enshrine core health protections into Wisconsin law so they can’t be rolled back by Congress or the courts.</li><li>Permanently protect people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage, charged more, or kicked off their plan.</li><li>Ban lifetime and annual coverage limits so no family is cut off from care when they need it most.</li><li>End surprise medical billing and strengthen hospital financial assistance requirements.</li></ul>Protect and Expand BadgerCare<ul><li>Defend and strengthen BadgerCare so more Wisconsinites can access affordable coverage.</li><li>Ensure people aren’t pushed off coverage because of political gridlock or shifting federal priorities.</li></ul>Guarantee Mental Health Care as Equal to Physical Health Care<ul><li>Sara will enforce true mental health parity so insurance covers mental health and addiction care the same way it covers physical care.</li><li>Expand access to crisis intervention, adolescent mental health services, and substance-use treatment.</li><li>Give the state real authority to hold insurers accountable when they deny or delay mental health care.</li></ul>Protect Reproductive Freedom<ul><li>Sara will codify Roe vs. Wade into Wisconsin law and protect access to abortion, miscarriage care, ectopic pregnancy care, and fertility treatments.</li></ul>Guarantee 12 Months of Postpartum Coverage<ul><li>Sara will end Wisconsin’s dangerous 60-day postpartum cutoff, guaranteeing a full year of Medicaid coverage after birth.</li><li>This addresses postpartum depression, heart complications, and maternal mortality, all conditions that often appear months after delivery.</li></ul>Protect Rural Hospitals and Emergency Care<ul><li>Sara will work with the legislature to establish a Rural Health Stabilization Fund to keep ERs, maternity wards, and behavioral health services open.</li><li>This expands telehealth and mobile crisis services so people aren’t driving hours for care and ensures fair reimbursement so hospitals can keep their doors open.</li></ul>

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower prices and guarantee affordable, reliable health care for every person in Wisconsin.

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Make Health Care Less Expensive

“Trump-Tiffany's Union delivers crushing costs for families, unaffordable health care, and a reckless approach to immigration that disregards the Constitution” MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse and Democratic candidate for governor, released the following statement ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight: “Tonight, President Trump will give his State of the Union address while Congressman Tom Tiffany cheers him on. But Wisconsin families are living a very different reality under Trump-Tiffany’s Union.&nbsp;Under Trump-Tiffany’s Union, Wisconsinites are being squeezed from every direction. Groceries, housing, and utility bills are all more expensive. Working families, small business owners, manufacturers, and farmers are being crushed by Trump’s tariffs, which Tom Tiffany called “a good thing.” Small businesses have seen costs triple, and workers are being laid off across Wisconsin.Trump-Tiffany’s Union is raising the cost of healthcare and putting quality, affordable health insurance farther out reach. Tom Tiffany voted for Trump’s trillion-dollar cut to Medicaid and voted against extending the tax credits that helped Wisconsinites afford coverage. And while people are rationing medicine and skipping checkups, Tom Tiffany has no plan to lower health care costs. I do.And Trump-Tiffany's Union has made our broken immigration system worse by embracing an excessive, militarized approach that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota and widespread community fear. Tom Tiffany said he would welcome the same warrantless, masked raids here, prioritizing political loyalty to Donald Trump over the clear message from Wisconsinites that we don't want federal agents roaming our streets conducting mass deportation raids in our communities.&nbsp;This is what Trump-Tiffany's Union delivers: crushing costs for families, unaffordable health care, and a reckless approach to immigration that disregards the Constitution, undermines our democracy, and puts our neighbors at risk. Not on my watch.Tonight Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany will celebrate themselves. But Wisconsin families know the truth: Trump-Tiffany’s Union is failing us. We deserve better, and as governor, I’ll deliver it – and I’ll always put Wisconsin first.” ###

MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse and Democratic candidate for governor, released the following statement ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight:

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez: The State of Trump-Tiffany’s Union is Failing Wisconsinites

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As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect kids from predatory tech companies and make the internet safer for children.Our kids are growing up online – and tech companies are exploiting them for profit. Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, hooking kids on endless scrolling and damaging their mental health. Predators use apps and games to target children. Companies collect massive amounts of data on kids without parents' knowledge or consent. And algorithms push dangerous content – eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, violence – because it keeps kids engaged and keeps profits rolling in.This didn't happen by accident. Tech companies designed it this way. They studied how to make their platforms as addictive as possible. They buried parental controls and privacy settings. They lobbied against regulation. And they prioritized growth and profits over the safety and well-being of children.Parents are doing everything they can – monitoring screen time, setting limits, having conversations – but they're up against billion-dollar companies with teams of engineers whose job is to override parental control and keep kids hooked. Parents shouldn't have to fight tech giants alone. We can protect kids online, hold companies accountable, and give parents the tools they need – but only if we're willing to stand up to Big Tech. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect kids from predatory tech companies and hold Big Tech accountable for harming our children.

Keep Our Kids Safe Online

MADISON (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) - Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is the first Wisconsin Democrat to announce a campaign for governor, launching her candidacy less than 24 hours after Gov. Tony Evers said he would <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/wisconsin-democratic-gov-tony-evers-wont-seek-re-election-in-2026/84246291007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">retire in 2026</a> instead of seeking a third term.Rodriguez, who was elected in 2022, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she is seeking the office to help families navigate economic pressures."I'm running for governor because it is such a critical time for Wisconsin and our future," Rodriguez, 50, said in an interview."I'm a daughter of a veteran and a union member, and I can see within Wisconsin how families are being squeezed. They are having a difficult time being able to make ends meet, and they need somebody who can lead the state, who can fight for them — just everyday working families."Rodriguez, who grew up in Brookfield and lives there now, is making a bid for governor after serving in the state Assembly for two years before being elected lieutenant governor in 2022, when former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes left office to run for U.S. Senate.Outside of elected politics, Rodriguez started a health care consulting business in 2020 after working as the vice president of population health and integrated care management for Advocate Aurora health system.Before that, she held a range of health care positions, including as an emergency room nurse in Baltimore, overseeing nursing in a Denver-area county health department and as an epidemic intelligence service officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rodriguez defeated Republican incumbent Rob Hutton&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/30/republicans-play-defense-traditionally-safe-milwaukee-suburbs/6039976002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in the Milwaukee suburbs after one of the most expensive legislative races</a>&nbsp;of 2020. She said then that&nbsp;a chief reason she ran was that the Legislature opted not to meet during 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic was at its most threatening.&nbsp;In an ad introducing herself, Rodriguez quipped, "I've got two kids that are way too embarrassed to be in this video. A dog named Chico and I met my husband salsa dancing. All true.""My grandparents were Wisconsin dairy farmers. Dad served during Vietnam and fixed telephones at Wisconsin Bell. Mom was a union member who helped kids with special needs," she told the camera while walking through Humboldt Park in Milwaukee. "They lived in a trailer right before they had us. My mom would want me to tell you that I was a national merit scholar. I know you don't care, but she does. So hi, mom."Rodriguez told the Journal Sentinel tariff policies of President Donald Trump, whom she refers to as a "maniac" in her campaign ad, will damage sectors of Wisconsin's economy — a key contrast with Republican candidates for governor, Bill Berrien and Josh Schoemann, who support the president's tariffs."It is not going to be helpful to small-business owners here in Wisconsin, and we need to acknowledge that these tariffs are a tax upon Wisconsinites," Rodriguez said. "It is going to make it more expensive for Wisconsinites to just make ends meet, and they're already having trouble."Rodriguez would not say whether she would have signed the state budget Evers recently negotiated with Republican leaders of the state Legislature, which has been <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/07/wisconsin-gov-tony-evers-defends-budget-that-many-democrats-opposed/84492599007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">criticized by some Democrats</a> as not providing enough funding for schools."I think Governor Evers did the best that he could in terms of negotiating that budget," Rodriguez said. "It's important that we acknowledge what a fantastic job he has done for what is now coming up on two terms, and he was able to get the best budget, to negotiate the best budget, that he could."On policy, Rodriguez said she supports overturning former Republican Gov. Scott Walker's signature legislation <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/12/02/act-10-overturned-as-unconstitutional-by-dane-county-judge/76708592007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">known as Act 10</a>, which curtailed collective bargaining rights for most public employees.She said she supports lifting restrictions on abortion access, which is currently capped at 20 weeks of pregnancy, but maintaining restrictions in the third trimester of pregnancy.Rodriguez also said she supports the legalization and regulation of marijuana use, citing tax revenue possibilities.<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/wisconsin-democrats-launch-push-to-take-the-majority-in-the-senate/85211149007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Should Democrats take control</a> of one or both houses of the Legislature, Rodriguez said she would pursue new laws on health care, housing and child care.Rodriguez could face a <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/democratic-and-republican-contenders-for-wisconsin-governor-in-2026-tony-evers-not-running/85257830007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">vast Democratic primary</a> for governor, with Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and state Sen. Kelda Roys, among others.On the Republican side, Whitefish Bay manufacturing CEO <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/07/16/who-is-bill-berrien-republican-candidate-wisconsin-governor/85211693007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bill Berrien</a> and Washington County Executive <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/05/06/who-is-josh-schoemann-republican-candidate-for-wisconsin-governor/83457190007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Josh Schoemann</a> have launched campaigns. Congressman <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/22/congressman-tom-tiffany-teases-a-run-for-wisconsin-governor/85308869007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tom Tiffany</a>, who represents the 7th Congressional District, also is considering a run.In a statement, Berrien said Rodriguez "is the very embodiment of Tony Evers and the Madison Democrats’ failed record over the last six years.""Wisconsin cannot afford to have a continuation of the Evers’ policies that kept us stuck in reverse. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Sara Rodriguez or another one of the radical left Democrats that decide to enter this race, one thing is for certain: I plan to win.”&nbsp;

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel—Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is the first Wisconsin Democrat to announce a campaign for governor, launching her candidacy less than 24 hours after Gov. Tony Evers said he would <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/wisconsin-democratic-gov-tony-evers-wont-seek-re-election-in-2026/84246291007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">retire in 2026</a> instead of seeking a third term...

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez launches bid for Wisconsin governor, the first Democrat to formally enter

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower utility prices and keep energy bills affordable for Wisconsin families.Utility bills in Wisconsin have become harder to manage and harder to predict. Families open their statements each month bracing for another increase, unsure how high the bill will climb or what’s driving it. When energy prices jump, households are forced to make tradeoffs – turning down the heat, delaying other expenses, or dipping into savings just to get through the month. For seniors on fixed incomes and families already balancing tight budgets, energy bills have become a constant source of stress.Wisconsin’s energy system has been built in a way that allows rising prices and new infrastructure expenses to be pushed onto everyday ratepayers, while large corporate users and out-of-state interests avoid paying their fair share. Families shouldn’t be left subsidizing corporate demand or unchecked utility spending. We can meet growing energy needs, support economic development, and keep bills affordable, but only if the system puts consumers first. Sara Rodriguez will.Freeze Utility Rate Increases<ul><li>Use executive authority to temporarily freeze utility rate increases while the state implements a long-term strategy to lower prices.</li><li>This gives families immediate breathing room while Wisconsin addresses the root causes of rising bills.</li></ul>End Cost-Shifting from Corporations to Families<ul><li>Ensure data centers and other energy-intensive corporate users pay the full cost of their energy use, including new generation, transmission lines, and grid upgrades.</li><li>Those prices should not be shifted onto residential customers or small businesses; families should not be subsidizing corporate growth through higher monthly bills.</li></ul>Hold Data Centers Accountable and Engage Communities<ul><li>Data center projects must be developed collaboratively with local communities, with early input and transparent planning.</li><li>All project details must be negotiated up front in binding agreements; if corporations make investments and a project is delayed or canceled, developers must be financially responsible – not ratepayers or local governments.</li></ul>Modernize the Public Service Commission to Protect Consumers<ul><li>Modernize state law so the Public Service Commission has clearer authority to protect ratepayers.</li><li>Utilities should still be able to recover legitimate prices, but not by passing corporate expenses onto households.</li></ul>Produce More Affordable Energy In-State<ul><li>Support development of lower-cost renewable energy like solar, wind, and battery storage to reduce long-term energy prices.</li><li>This includes cutting red tape so utilities can modernize and expand existing facilities faster and more affordably.</li></ul>Give Families Tools to Lower Their Own Bills<ul><li>Expand opportunities for homeowners and small businesses to sell energy back to the grid.</li><li>This ensures clean-energy investments actually reduce bills for consumers, not just boost utility profits.</li></ul>

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower utility prices and keep energy bills affordable for Wisconsin families.

Lower Utility Costs and Energy Bills

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect reproductive freedom and ensure every person can make their own health care decisions.Abortion is health care. In Wisconsin, we're still operating under an 1849 law that banned abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest – a relic from before women could vote, own property, or serve on juries. Republicans have tried over and over to restrict access further. And now the Trump administration is threatening to ban abortion nationwide, restrict access to contraception, and punish states that protect reproductive freedom.It's been a decades-long campaign to take away people's freedom to make their own health care decisions. And the consequences are devastating: Women are being forced to carry nonviable pregnancies. Doctors are afraid to provide miscarriage care. People are traveling out of state for care they should be able to access at home. And maternal mortality is rising in states with abortion bans.We can protect reproductive freedom in Wisconsin. We can codify the right to abortion into state law. We can ensure access to contraception, fertility treatments, and comprehensive reproductive health care. And we can stand up to the Trump administration when it tries to take those rights away – but only if we're willing to fight for them. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect reproductive freedom and ensure every person can make their own health care decisions.

Defend Reproductive Rights

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez entered the battleground state’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-gov-tony-evers-reelection-78b32ffc51dff53512fd7499f21e9878" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open race for governor</a> Friday by calling <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">President Donald Trump</a> a “maniac,” as she attempts to differentiate herself in what is expected to be a crowded primary.A second Democrat, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, said in a statement Friday that in the weeks ahead he “will be taking steps toward entering the race.”Wisconsin’s 2026 governor’s race is open with no incumbent running for the first time since 2010. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday that he will not seek a third term.Both Rodriguez and Crowley would make history if elected. Rodriguez, a former emergency room nurse, would be Wisconsin’s first woman governor and Crowley would be the first Black governor. Several other Democrats are expected to join the race.“We’ve got a maniac in the White House,” Rodriguez said in a campaign launch video. “His tariffs are killing our farmers and his policies are hurting our kids.”Evers has not endorsed anyone in the race. His spokesperson had no immediate comment Friday.Rodriguez has been lieutenant governor since 2023, after previously serving one two-year term in the state Assembly representing suburban Milwaukee, where she lives. She won a seat that had been under Republican control for years.Rodriguez emphasized her background working previously as a nurse in a Baltimore emergency room, saying she wanted to continue Evers’ emphasis on fighting to protect reproductive freedom, invest in public schools and rebuild the economy.She noted that the state Legislature is within reach of Democratic control, meaning that with a Democratic governor, they could finally enact policies Republicans have blocked for years like expanding Medicaid.A registered nurse, Rodriguez previously worked as a health care executive and an epidemic intelligence service officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She has a master’s degree in public health.Rodriguez emphasized the importance of health care, including protecting abortion rights, in a brief speech she delivered on the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last year.Rodriguez, who is married with two children, launched her candidacy on her 50th birthday.In her first run for office in 2020, when she was elected to the Legislature, Rodriguez said she was motivated to get into politics because of how Republicans handled the COVID-19 pandemic.Rodriguez won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2022 after then-Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who held the office in Evers’ first term, decided to run for the Senate.Barnes, who lost that race to Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, is among several Democrats considering a run for governor next year. Others include Attorney General Josh Kaul, state Sen. Kelda Roys, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.On the Republican side, Washington County Executive <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-governor-2026-election-josh-schoemann-cf8628d280f12daab68a1c93678a61fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Josh Schoemann</a> and suburban Milwaukee businessman <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-governor-bill-berrien-tony-evers-trump-a7a838f30d6453be1a1d29e33052a87f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bill Berrien</a> are the only announced candidates. Others, including U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and state Senate President Mary Felzkowski, are considering it.Berrien called Rodriguez “the very embodiment of Tony Evers’ and the Madison Democrats’ failed record over the last six years.”

Associated Press—Wisconsin Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez entered the battleground state’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-gov-tony-evers-reelection-78b32ffc51dff53512fd7499f21e9878" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open race for governor</a> Friday by calling <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">President Donald Trump</a> a “maniac,” as she attempts to differentiate herself in what is expected to be a crowded primary...

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez enters 2026 governor’s race, calls Trump a ‘maniac’

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower property taxes for Wisconsin residents.Property taxes are too high in Wisconsin. We feel it every year when our bill arrives – including right now, as families are already feeling squeezed by rising prices everywhere else. And when property taxes go up, it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It means less room in the budget for groceries, child care, health care, and saving for the future. It hits seniors on fixed incomes especially hard. And it makes it harder for people to stay in the homes and communities they love. For more than a decade, Republican leadership has underfunded public education and shortchanged local governments. When the state doesn’t do its job, communities are forced to raise property taxes just to keep schools open and basic services running. Families shouldn’t have to raise their own taxes to make up for the state’s failures. We can fully fund public education, protect seniors and homeowners, and lower property taxes while making Wisconsin more affordable overall, but only if we’re willing to fix what’s broken. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower property taxes for Wisconsin residents.

Cut Your Property Taxes

Statewide tour will take Rodriguez to every corner of Wisconsin, listening to families, workers, and communities about the challenges they face and the future they want to buildMADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez today announced the launch of “Rolling with Rodriguez: A 72 County Tour,” a statewide listening and engagement effort that will bring her to every corner of Wisconsin this fall. Rodriguez, the first Democrat to declare her candidacy for governor in 2026, is putting her commitment to meet people where they are at the heart of her campaign."As a nurse, I learned early on that you can’t solve problems without listening first,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. “That’s exactly what this tour is about – showing up, hearing directly from Wisconsinites in every county, and making sure their voices shape the solutions we fight for. Whether it’s lowering costs, investing in public schools, or protecting reproductive healthcare, I believe the best ideas start at the kitchen table, farms, unions halls, and small businesses of our state.”Rodriguez has already built a reputation for visiting all 72 counties each year as Lieutenant Governor, but “Rolling with Rodriguez: A 72 County Tour” marks the first organized campaign swing through every part of Wisconsin since announcing her run for governor. The tour will highlight the challenges and opportunities facing families, from the rising cost of housing and child care to access to health care and good-paying jobs.Initial tour stops include Kenosha, Green Bay, La Crosse, Richland Center, Appleton, Eau Claire, Sheboygan, Oshkosh, Platteville, Racine, Janesville, Hudson, Superior, Bayfield, Ashland, Stevens Point, Wausau, Rhinelander, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Madison, Mequon, and Waukesha. Events are open to the media and will be advised individually. Additional stops will be announced as the tour continues through all 72 counties.“From Kenosha to Superior, and everywhere in between, the message is the same: people are working harder than ever, but still getting squeezed,” Rodriguez said. “This tour is about listening, learning, and building a campaign that’s rooted in the real lives of Wisconsinites. Together, we’ll fight for a Wisconsin where every family has a fair shot.”Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was the first Democratic candidate to launch a campaign for governor to succeed Governor Tony Evers, releasing an <a href="https://youtu.be/mRie7wzLKGE">announcement video</a> that highlighted her roots in Wisconsin and experience as a statewide official, public health leader, nurse, and former small business owner. A registered nurse with master’s degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, Sara previously served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC and as an executive in both public and private healthcare systems. She founded her own small business, was a vice president at a Fortune 100 company, and led population health strategy at one of the largest healthcare systems in the Midwest. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020, flipping a suburban Milwaukee seat. She now serves as Wisconsin’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, elected in 2022 alongside Governor Tony Evers. Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12U4DDmMlbaF2T943K2V7L9aCeX49Y5UZ?usp=drive_link">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez today announced the launch of “Rolling with Rodriguez: A 72 County Tour,” a statewide listening and engagement effort that will bring her to every corner of Wisconsin this fall. Rodriguez, the first Democrat to declare her candidacy for governor in 2026, is putting her commitment to meet people where they are at the heart of her campaign.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Launches “Rolling with Rodriguez: A 72 County Tour”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - The 2026 race for Wisconsin governor has its first declared Democratic candidate: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.Rodriguez <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/25/lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-launches-bid-for-wisconsin-governor/85363944007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced her campaign</a> less than 24 hours after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he wouldn't seek a third term. Other Democrats are likely to jump in, <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/25/milwaukee-county-executive-david-crowley-says-he-plans-bid-for-governor/85363678007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley</a>.In an <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/25/lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-launches-bid-for-wisconsin-governor/85363944007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">interview</a> with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rodriguez said she's seeking office to help families navigate economic pressures."I'm a daughter of a veteran and a union member, and I can see within Wisconsin how families are being squeezed. They are having a difficult time being able to make ends meet, and they need somebody who can lead the state, who can fight for them — just everyday working families," she said.Here's what to know about Rodriguez, the first Democrat to launch a run for governor:What is Sara Rodriguez's political experience?Rodriguez entered politics in 2020 and <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/30/republicans-play-defense-traditionally-safe-milwaukee-suburbs/6039976002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> she decided to run for office because of Republican lawmakers' handling of the pandemic. She flipped a Republican Assembly seat in Brookfield and served one term.As a state lawmaker, she <a href="https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2021/legislators/assembly/2264" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">authored</a> legislation to require face masks in public during the pandemic, implement <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/07/28/gop-rip-bill-berrien-ranked-choice-voting-what-is-it/85337655007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ranked choice voting</a> and automatically register eligible voters, among other bills.She <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/08/22/what-know-sara-rodriguez-democrat-running-tony-evers-wisconsin-lieutenant-governor/10313180002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ran and was elected lieutenant governor in 2022</a>, replacing former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who left office and unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate that year.Lieutenant governors are second in line for the governorship, but the office has few official duties. She chairs a governor's <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/health/2024/02/07/what-to-know-about-gov-evers-wisconsin-health-care-task-force/72397700007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">task force</a> on the state's health care workforce.What did Sara Rodriguez do before politics?Rodriguez has a background in health care. She worked as a registered nurse and for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service, according to her <a href="https://www.saraforwi.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">campaign website</a>.She also worked as vice president of population health and integrated care management for Advocate Aurora Health before starting a health care consulting business in 2020, according to her <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sararussellrodriguez/details/experience/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a> profile.What is Sara Rodriguez's platform?In her campaign launch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRie7wzLKGE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">video</a>, Rodriguez expressed priorities like expanding Medicaid, boosting the health care workforce, funding public schools and giving teachers raises.Rodriguez told the Journal Sentinel she supports overturning <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/12/02/act-10-overturned-as-unconstitutional-by-dane-county-judge/76708592007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Act 10</a>, legalizing and regulating marijuana, and lifting restrictions on abortion access — currently capped at 20 weeks in Wisconsin — but maintaining restrictions in the third trimester.How old is Sara Rodriguez?Rodriguez is 50.Who is in Sara Rodriguez's family?Rodriguez and her husband, Baltazar, have two children and a dog named Chico. Her husband is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, according to her campaign website.Where did Sara Rodriguez go to college?Rodriguez has a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Illinois Wesleyan University and master's degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, according to her <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sararussellrodriguez/details/education/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>.Where is Sara Rodriguez from?Rodriguez grew up in Brookfield and lives there now. She's a graduate of&nbsp;Brookfield East High School, according to her official <a href="https://evers.wi.gov/ltgov/Pages/About_LG.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bio</a>.What has Sara Rodriguez said about Trump?In her campaign launch video, Rodriguez referred to Trump as a "maniac in the White House.""His tariffs are killing our farmers, and his policies are hurting our kids," she said.What are Republicans saying about Sara Rodriguez?Bill Berrien, who's running for governor as a Republican, said Rodriguez is "the very embodiment of Tony Evers and the Madison Democrats’ failed record over the last six years.""Wisconsin cannot afford to have a continuation of the Evers’ policies that kept us stuck in reverse. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Sara Rodriguez or another one of the radical left Democrats that decide to enter this race, one thing is for certain: I plan to win," Berrien said in a statement.Who else is running for governor in Wisconsin?Rodriguez is the only Democrat to officially launch a campaign, though others have expressed interest and are <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/democratic-and-republican-contenders-for-wisconsin-governor-in-2026-tony-evers-not-running/85257830007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">likely to join the race</a>.On the Republican side, two candidates have declared runs: Berrien and Washington County Executive <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/05/06/who-is-josh-schoemann-republican-candidate-for-wisconsin-governor/83457190007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Josh Schoemann</a>. Others could launch bids, <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/22/congressman-tom-tiffany-teases-a-run-for-wisconsin-governor/85308869007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">including U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany</a>.When are Wisconsin's next elections?Mark your calendars for Feb. 17, April 7, Aug. 11 and Nov. 3, 2026 — <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/04/10/wisconsin-vote-2026-election-evers-governor-supreme-court/82974852007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">elections are scheduled</a> for each of those Tuesdays across Wisconsin. You can view a list of important dates on the Wisconsin Election Commission's <a href="https://elections.wi.gov/news-events/events?audience=All&amp;event_type[]=249&amp;event_type[]=251" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a>.Spring elections are for nonpartisan offices, and fall elections are for partisan ones. The August primary will include the Republican and Democratic fields for governor, and the final candidates will move onto the general election.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel—The 2026 race for Wisconsin governor has its first declared Democratic candidate: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Rodriguez <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/25/lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-launches-bid-for-wisconsin-governor/85363944007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced her campaign</a> less than 24 hours after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he wouldn't seek a third term...

Who is Sara Rodriguez, the first Democrat to jump into Wisconsin governor's race?

MADISON, WI—Since announcing her candidacy for Governor, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez is building strong early momentum with endorsements from state legislators, local elected officials, and community leaders from every corner of Wisconsin."I’m incredibly honored to earn the support of leaders across Wisconsin – from Waukesha to La Crosse and Madison to Green Bay – who know firsthand the kind of leadership Wisconsin communities need,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. “From our smallest towns to our biggest cities, we need a Governor who shows up, listens, and gets things done. I’m proud to stand with these leaders as we fight to make life better for neighbors in every corner of the state.”Supporters emphasized Rodriguez’s record of leadership inside and outside of politics and her ability to connect with communities across Wisconsin:Rep. Joan Fitzgerald (Assembly District 46): “As a former public school teacher, I know what it means to fight for our public schools – and so does Sara Rodriguez. She understands that investing in our kids, our teachers, and our classrooms is how we build a stronger future. She’ll fight for educators, fund our schools, and make sure every child has the chance to succeed. I’m proud to support a leader who truly puts public education first.”Rep. Maureen McCarville (Assembly District 42): “I’ve served Wisconsin as a union leader, a member of the National Guard, a legislator, and a local official – and I can tell you, Sara Rodriguez is the real deal. She shows up for working people, respects labor, and understands that unions built Wisconsin’s middle class. She listens to local voices, supports our Guard members and veterans, and brings steady, solutions-driven leadership to every challenge. She’ll be a Governor who puts people first and delivers results.”Former State Sen. Janis Ringhand (Senate District 15): "Sara has managed budgets bigger than many state agencies and led teams through real crises, not just political ones. She’s exactly the kind of steady, experienced leader we need in the Governor’s Office."Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Assembly District 8): “Sara Rodriguez is a fighter and will work hard for working families and communities like mine in Milwaukee. She understands the challenges we face – rising costs, access to health care, housing – and she brings thoughtful solutions. Sara knows that every Wisconsinite deserves a fair shot, no matter their zip code. I’m proud to support her for Governor because I know she’ll show up for Milwaukee and for every corner of our state.”Former State Rep. Gary Hebl (Assembly District 46): “During my time in the legislature, I worked alongside Sara Rodriguez and saw firsthand her commitment to making health care work better for everyone. She’s smart, strategic, and she always puts Wisconsin families first. I trust her to protect access, lower costs, and put care within reach for every community in our state.”Sen. Bob Wirch (Senate District 22): “Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez has the right combination of leadership from the front lines of being a healthcare worker, and understanding the dynamics of the legislative and executive branch. Sara knows how to achieve consensus, and I am confident she will lead us to victory in 2026!”Rep. Ben DeSmidt (Assembly District 65): “As a small business owner, I know how important it is to have leaders who understand Main Street. Sara knows small businesses drive local economies, create jobs, and strengthen our communities. She’ll expand opportunity and build an economy that works for everyone – not just the big guys. Sara won’t just talk about growing Wisconsin’s economy – she’ll get it done.”Former State Rep. Beth Meyers (Assembly District 74): "Sara Rodriguez understands what it means to serve – and she does it with integrity, intelligence, and grit. She shows up, listens, and works hard for every corner of our state, bringing the same energy and respect to the people of Northern Wisconsin as she does Milwaukee or Madison. She’s earned my trust – and she’ll earn yours."State legislators endorsing Rodriguez’s campaign include:<ul><li>Rep. Joan Fitzgerald (Assembly District 46)</li><li>Rep. Ben DeSmidt (Assembly District 65)</li><li>Rep. Andrew Hysell (Assembly District 48)</li><li>Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Assembly District 8)</li><li>Rep. Maureen McCarville (Assembly District 42)</li><li>Sen. Bob Wirch (Senate District 22)</li><li>Janis Ringhand, Rock County Supervisor and former Member of State Senate (Senate District 15)</li></ul><ul><li>Beth Meyers, former Member of State Assembly (Assembly District 74)</li><li>Gary Hebl, former Member of State Assembly (Assembly District 46)</li></ul>Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was the first Democratic candidate to launch a campaign for governor to succeed Governor Tony Evers, releasing an <a href="https://youtu.be/mRie7wzLKGE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announcement video</a> that highlighted her roots in Wisconsin and experience as a statewide official, public health leader, nurse, and former small business owner.&nbsp;A registered nurse with master’s degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, Sara previously served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC and as an executive in both public and private healthcare systems. She founded her own small business, was a vice president at a Fortune 100 company, and led population health strategy at one of the largest healthcare systems in the Midwest. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020, flipping a suburban Milwaukee seat. She now serves as Wisconsin’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, elected in 2022 alongside Governor Tony Evers.&nbsp;Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12U4DDmMlbaF2T943K2V7L9aCeX49Y5UZ?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

MADISON, WI—Since announcing her candidacy for Governor, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez is building strong early momentum with endorsements from state legislators, local elected officials, and community leaders from every corner of Wisconsin...

Wisconsin Leaders Line Up Behind Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez for Governor

In case you missed it, the Democratic Lt. Governors Association (DLGA) <a href="https://www.tmj4.com/america-votes/democratic-lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-receives-2-million-boost-for-wisconsin-governors-race">announced it will make a historic $2 million investment</a> – the largest ever made to a Lt. Governor running for higher office – to support Sara Rodriguez’s campaign for Wisconsin governor. This marks the largest commitment to a Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate this cycle."We believe in Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez's ability to positively impact Wisconsin so much that we are committing to spend $2 million on her behalf to ensure that she wins the Democratic nomination for governor," said Kevin Holst, DLGA executive director.Read the full story from TMJ4: <a href="https://www.tmj4.com/america-votes/democratic-lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-receives-2-million-boost-for-wisconsin-governors-race">Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez receives $2 million boost for Wisconsin governor’s race</a>“With DLGA’s support, we’ll take our message to all 72 counties, build the strongest campaign in the field, and make sure we take our fight to lower costs, protect health care, and defend our freedoms all the way to the governor’s office,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. “Together we can defeat Tom Tiffany and stop his dangerous plans to cut health care, raise costs, and divide our communities – and instead build a future where every Wisconsinite can afford to see a doctor, keep a roof overhead, and know their kids will have even more opportunity than they did.”The DLGA’s investment underscores what Wisconsinites across the state are already seeing: Sara Rodriguez is the frontrunner in the Democratic primary and the strongest candidate to take on Tom Tiffany in the general election. With her 72-county strategy, grassroots energy, and growing list of national and local endorsements, Sara is well-positioned to lead Democrats to victory in 2026.Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12U4DDmMlbaF2T943K2V7L9aCeX49Y5UZ?usp=drive_link">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

In case you missed it, the Democratic Lt. Governors Association (DLGA) <a href="https://www.tmj4.com/america-votes/democratic-lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-receives-2-million-boost-for-wisconsin-governors-race">announced it will make a historic $2 million investment</a> – the largest ever made to a Lt. Governor running for higher office – to support Sara Rodriguez’s campaign for Wisconsin governor. This marks the largest commitment to a Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate this cycle.

ICYMI: Democratic Lt. Governors Association Pledges Historic $2 Million Investment

MADISON, WI – Today, Lt. Governor and candidate for Governor Sara Rodriguez released the following statement in response to blatantly false and racist rumors circulated to reporters this week regarding her husband, Baltazar Rodriguez: “My husband is a proud, naturalized U.S. citizen. We are five days into this race and my opponents are already resorting to racist, made-up attacks about my family. It’s pathetic, it’s ugly, and it sure as hell won’t lower a single grocery bill or fix a single school. If this is their best shot, they better pack a damn lunch." Baltazar Rodriguez is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico who became a naturalized U.S. citizen after coming to this country to build a better life. He and Sara met salsa dancing and have been married for over 20 years, raising their family in Wisconsin. ###

MADISON, WI—Today, Lt. Governor and candidate for Governor Sara Rodriguez released the following statement in response to blatantly false and racist rumors circulated to reporters this week regarding her husband, Baltazar Rodriguez...

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Slams Opponents for Racist Smear Campaign Targeting Her Husband

WISCONSIN—As the federal government entered a shutdown this morning, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez released the following statement:“Congressman Tom Tiffany has already voted to take Medicaid away from tens of thousands of Wisconsinites, and now he’s helping Donald Trump and Washington Republicans shut down the government, putting even more families at risk. Here’s what that means in real life: federal workers in our state will miss paychecks. Veterans will see delays in the care and benefits they’ve earned. Small businesses will get caught in the chaos. And hardworking families will face even more uncertainty at a time when costs are already too high.Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House – they could reopen the government at any moment. I urge Congress to get back to Washington now and fix this mess. As your governor, I won’t take a day off from fighting for you.I’ve spent my career solving real problems in the ER, at the CDC, and across every corner of Wisconsin. Tom Tiffany has spent his career creating problems – gutting health care, driving up costs, and now siding with extremists to grind the government to a halt. Wisconsin deserves a governor who fights to make life easier for families, protects their health care, and puts people ahead of politics.”

WISCONSIN—As the federal government entered a shutdown this morning, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez released the following statement:

Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez Slams Congressman Tom Tiffany for Enabling Government Shutdown

Rodriguez’s campaign of affordability, freedom, and opportunity continues to build statewide support and momentumWAUKESHA, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez announced today that she has earned the endorsement of local leaders, elected officials, and community advocates from all 72 counties in Wisconsin, underscoring her growing grassroots strength and broad appeal across every corner of the state.“Support from every corner of the state tells me one thing: Wisconsinites are ready for a governor who’ll make life more affordable, protect our freedoms, and put families first,” said Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez. “Together, we’re building a Wisconsin where everyone—from Green Bay to La Crosse, Superior to Kenosha—can see a doctor when they need to, find affordable child care, buy a home, build a good life, and have a little breathing room at the end of the month.”From community leaders and school board members to county supervisors, mayors, and state legislators, Rodriguez’s endorsements reflect deep grassroots support across urban, rural, and suburban Wisconsin. Her growing coalition demonstrates the momentum behind a campaign that’s focused on affordability, freedom, and opportunity for every Wisconsin family.<ul><li>Ben DeSmidt, Representative Assembly District 65</li><li>Joan Fitzgerald, Representative Assembly District 46</li><li>Andrew Hysell, Representative Assembly District 48</li><li>Maureen McCarville, Representative Assembly District 42</li><li>Bob Wirch, Senator Senate District 22</li><li>Christine Sinicki, Representative Assembly District 20</li><li>Karen Kirsch, Representative Assembly District 7</li><li>Beth Meyers, Former Representative Assembly District 74</li><li>Gary Hebl, Former Representative Assembly District 46</li><li>Janis Ringhand, Former Representative Assembly and Former State Senator, former mayor of Evansville, current Rock County Supervisor</li><li>Josh Pettis, Osseo Mayor</li><li>Ted Grant, Ripon Mayor</li><li>Mike Wiza, Stevens Point Mayor</li><li>Steve Stocker, Sun Prairie Mayor</li><li>Luke Diaz, Verona Mayor</li><li>Mary Motiff, Washburn Mayor</li><li>Larry Grisen, Alma Common Council Alder</li><li>Pam Fall, Barron County Board Supervisor</li><li>Tia Johnson, Beloit School Board Member</li><li>Paul Garthwaite, Blanchardville Common Council Alder</li><li>Diana Kaiser, Blanchardville Common Council Alder</li><li>Sara Monty, Brookfield Common Council Alder&nbsp;</li><li>Michael Hallquist, Brookfield Common Council Alder&nbsp;</li><li>Tom Dewane, Brown County Board Supervisor&nbsp;</li><li>Tom Friberg, Brown County Board Supervisor&nbsp;</li><li>Craig Conroy, Burnett County Board Supervisor</li><li>Emily Voight, Calumet County Board Supervisor</li><li>Charles Bomar, Chippewa County Board Supervisor&nbsp;</li><li>William Neville, Clark County Board Supervisor</li><li>Liz Miller, Columbia County Board Supervisor</li><li>Adam Gallagher, Dane County Treasurer</li><li>Mary Bobholz, Dodge County Board Supervisor</li><li>Larry Mboga, Eau Claire City Council Alder</li><li>Mary Wacker, Elmbrook School Board Treasurer</li><li>John Potters, Forest County Board Supervisor</li><li>Brenda Carus, Green County Board Supervisor</li><li>Mike Skivington, Green Lake County Board Supervisor</li><li>Ray Feldman, Juneau County Board Supervisor</li><li>Jim Ryczek, Juneau County Board Supervisor</li><li>Andres Gama, Kenosha County Board Supervisor</li><li>Sarah Kirby, Kenosha County Board Supervisor</li><li>Ruth Dyson, Kenosha Common Council Alder</li><li>Kenny Harper, Kenosha Common Council Alder</li><li>Rollin Pizzala, Kenosha Common Council Alder</li><li>Dr. Todd Alan Price, Kenosha School Board</li><li>Peggy Isola, La Crosse County Board Supervisor</li><li>Lisa Weston, La Crosse Common Council Alder</li><li>Aron Newberry, La Crosse Common Council Alder</li><li>Regina Vidaver, Madison Common Council President&nbsp;</li><li>Will Ochowicz, Madison Common Council Alder&nbsp;</li><li>Nicki Vander Meulen, Madison Metropolitan School District Board Member</li><li>Chris Voll, Marathon County Supervisor</li><li>Irene Mayou, Marinette County Board Supervisor</li><li>Ben Warrington, Menominee County Board Supervisor</li><li>Abigail Pickard, Menomonie City Council Alder</li><li>Israel Ramon, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds</li><li>Dennis Kroll, Oconto County Board Supervisor</li><li>Karl Buelow, Oshkosh Common Council Alder</li><li>Jayme Heiser, Outagamie County Board Supervisor</li><li>Dave Ladick, Portage County Board Supervisor</li><li>Shaun Przybylski, Portage County Board Supervisor</li><li>Andrew Rockman, Portage County Board Supervisor</li><li>Dave Homan, Rock County Supervisor&nbsp;</li><li>Kerry Reis, St. Croix County Board Supervisor</li><li>Wayne Roen, St. Croix County Board Supervisor</li><li>Sam Pocernich, Sauk County Board Supervisor</li><li>Joe Miller, Shawano County Board Supervisor</li><li>William Switalla, Shawano County Board Supervisor</li><li>Marilyn Montemayor, Sheboygan County Board Supervisor</li><li>Emily Comstock, Sun Prairie Common Council Alder</li><li>Casey Drengler, Sun Prairie Common Council Alder</li><li>Santiago Rosas, Sun Prairie Common Council Alder</li><li>David Strudthoff, Vernon County Board Supervisor</li><li>Al Staneck, Walworth County Board Supervisor</li><li>Alicia Halvenslaben, Waukesha Common Council Alder</li><li>Diane Voit, Waukesha School Board Member</li><li>Jane Rusch, Wausau School Board Member</li><li>Bill Leichtnam, Wood County Board Supervisor</li><li>Dr. Jolene Bowman, Stockbridge-Munsee Community Leader</li><li>LuAnn Bird, Former Assembly Candidate and Community Organizer</li><li>Darryl Morin, Milwaukee Community Leader</li><li>Luis Solis, Former Delavan Common Council Alder</li><li>Jeff Spitzer-Resnick, Goose Lake Watershed District</li></ul>Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DmWQHOhL6qDWhYlov5U8aA3PxXm1JmBr/view?usp=sharing">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

WISCONSIN—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez announced today that she has earned the endorsement of local leaders, elected officials, and community advocates from all 72 counties in Wisconsin, underscoring her growing grassroots strength and broad appeal across every corner of the state.

Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez Receives Endorsements From Leaders Across All 72 Counties in Wisconsin

Nurse and former CDC officer says public health leadership must be grounded in science, not politicsMADISON, WI—Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez today called for the resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, citing his long record of promoting conspiracy theories and undermining science. “As a nurse and former Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC, I’ve worked in emergency rooms, on the frontlines of epidemics, and in leadership roles making life-or-death decisions. I know real public health leadership must be grounded in science, not conspiracy and ideology.&nbsp; Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lacks the judgment and commitment to meet that standard. The resulting chaos at the CDC is his responsibility, and every day he remains in charge, more families are put at risk. People will get sick and some will die unnecessarily because of his failures. He must resign – or be fired – before more trust is destroyed and more lives are lost. Families in Wisconsin deserve better than to be caught in the crossfire of conspiracy and chaos coming out of Washington.” A registered nurse with master’s degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez previously served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC and as an executive in both public and private healthcare systems. She founded her own small business, was a vice president at a Fortune 100 company, and led population health strategy at one of the largest healthcare systems in the Midwest. Rodriguez was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020, flipping a suburban Milwaukee seat. She now serves as Wisconsin’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, elected in 2022 alongside Governor Tony Evers.Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was the first Democratic candidate to launch a campaign for governor to succeed Governor Tony Evers, releasing an announcement <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRie7wzLKGE&amp;feature=youtu.be">video</a> that highlighted her roots in Wisconsin and experience as a statewide official, public health leader, nurse, and former small business owner. Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12U4DDmMlbaF2T943K2V7L9aCeX49Y5UZ?usp=drive_link">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

MADISON, WI—Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez today called for the resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, citing his long record of promoting conspiracy theories and undermining science.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Calls on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Resign 

Major statewide union backs Rodriguez in crowded Democratic primaryMILWAUKEE, WI—In a major development in the 2026 governor’s race, AFSCME Wisconsin — representing thousands of state, county, municipal, and frontline workers across Wisconsin — today announced its endorsement of Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez for Governor. This marks one of the most influential labor endorsements in the state and a clear signal that working people see Rodriguez as the strongest candidate to win in November and fight for them in office.“We are proud to stand with a leader who has spent her life on the front lines, both as a nurse and an elected official devoted to enacting laws that help working people thrive rather than serving the interests of politicians,” said AFSCME Wisconsin President Paul Spink. “As the people who make public services a reality for our communities, we are excited to endorse Sara Rodriguez for Governor and stand beside her in this critical race.”AFSCME’s support comes after a highly competitive endorsement process and reflects workers’ confidence in Rodriguez’s record of delivering for public employees, strengthening workers’ rights, and rebuilding respect for frontline workers across Wisconsin.“I am deeply honored to earn AFSCME Wisconsin’s endorsement. Public workers keep this state running — in our prisons and public hospitals, our classrooms and county offices, our sanitation and human services departments. They deserve a governor who listens, respects their work, and fights like hell for their rights,” said Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez. “I grew up in a proud union household. As Lt. Governor, I’ve worked directly with AFSCME members across Wisconsin to strengthen pay, improve safety, expand mental health supports, and rebuild the dignity of public service. As governor, I will restore collective bargaining rights, repeal right-to-work, rebuild our public workforce, and make Wisconsin a national leader for worker power once again. I’m proud to stand with AFSCME — and I’m grateful they’re standing with me.”The endorsement adds to Rodriguez’s rapidly growing statewide coalition, following <a href="https://www.saraforwi.com/news/lt-governor-sara-rodriguez-receives-endorsements-from-leaders-across-all-72-counties-in-wisconsin">support from local leaders in all 72 counties</a> and a historic <a href="https://www.saraforwi.com/news/icymi-democratic-lt-governors-association-pledges-historic-2-million-investment">$2 million investment from the Democratic Lt. Governors Association</a> — the largest ever for a lieutenant governor seeking higher office. With AFSCME’s backing, Rodriguez is assembling the resources, support and statewide infrastructure needed to win in 2026 – more than any Democrat in the race – making her the most viable candidate to win the general election.Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DmWQHOhL6qDWhYlov5U8aA3PxXm1JmBr/view?usp=sharing">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

MILWAUKEE, WI—In a major development in the 2026 governor’s race, AFSCME Wisconsin — representing thousands of state, county, municipal, and frontline workers across Wisconsin — today announced its endorsement of Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez for Governor.

AFSCME Wisconsin Endorses Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez for Governor

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect Wisconsin from Trump administration attacks on our health care, schools, environment, voting rights, and communities.The Trump administration is attacking everything Wisconsin values. They're trying to gut Medicaid and end the Affordable Care Act. They're rolling back clean water protections and environmental rules. They're threatening to cut funding for public schools. They're undermining voting rights and fair maps. And they're conducting reckless ICE operations that terrorize communities and violate constitutional rights.This is a deliberate strategy to consolidate power in Washington, punish states that don't fall in line, and roll back decades of progress on health care, civil rights, and environmental protection. And it's working – because too many governors and state leaders are either cheering it on or staying silent while their constituents suffer.Wisconsin won't be bullied by Washington. We've fought too hard for our rights to let the Trump administration take them away. Sara Rodriguez will stand up, fight back, and use every tool available to protect Wisconsin families, communities, and values.Use Every Tool Available to Fight Back<ul><li>Use executive authority, state law, litigation, and interstate partnerships to protect Wisconsin from federal overreach.</li><li>Join with other governors to fight unconstitutional federal actions in court.</li><li>Use the bully pulpit to call out attacks on Wisconsin values and rally public support.</li></ul>

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will protect Wisconsin from Trump administration attacks on our health care, schools, environment, voting rights, and communities.

Stand up to Trump and Federal Overreach

Proposal praised by patients, health care professionals and health advocatesMADISON, WI—Today, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez announced a sweeping health care proposal to lower prices and guarantee affordable, reliable coverage for every person in Wisconsin. Rodriguez is making health care a central pillar of her campaign for governor and her broader plan to make life less expensive for Wisconsinites. “Health care is too expensive, too unpredictable, and too out of reach for people who are already feeling squeezed,” said Lt. Gov. Rodriguez. “As a nurse, I saw people delay care because they were worried about the bill. As a working mom and caregiver for my father with Alzheimer’s, I lived the stress of premiums, deductibles, and surprise costs. And as governor, I will lead with a simple commitment: health care in Wisconsin should be affordable, dependable, and protected.” Rodriguez’s plan responds to rising premiums, expiring federal tax credits, hospital closures, mental health gaps, and ongoing threats to reproductive care, all pressures that are forcing people to make impossible choices between health care and other basic needs. Health care leaders and elected officials across Wisconsin have already praised Rodriguez’s plan: “I’ve spent my career focused on improving the health and wellbeing of Wisconsinites, and I’m proud to stand with Lt. Governor Rodriguez as she introduces her platform. The disastrous decisions of Republicans in D.C. won’t be felt all at once, but when they hit, they will hit hard – especially for rural communities and our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Regina Vidaver, Madison Common Council President. “Sara Rodriguez understands what’s at stake and will fight to make sure everyone in Wisconsin can access quality, affordable care in their own community.” “In 37 years of practicing medicine in Wisconsin, I’ve seen how critical access to affordable care is for the health of individuals and our communities. When people have coverage they can count on, they are able to prevent disease, manage chronic illness, and avoid far more serious and expensive care down the road,” said Sophie Kramer, M.D. “Sara Rodriguez’s plan recognizes that reality. This is a thoughtful and practical plan that puts patients and communities first.” “Health care is a human right. As an Autistic adult, I know firsthand how hard it can be to access care in a system that too often misunderstands or overlooks people with disabilities. I’m not someone who needs to be ‘cured’ – I need consistent, respectful, affordable care,” said Nicki Vander Meulen, an Attorney, disability rights advocate, and Madison Metropolitan School Board Member. “Sara Rodriguez’s plan to protect and expand BadgerCare and guarantee stable coverage would make a real difference for people like me across Wisconsin.” “Sara Rodriguez understands this system because she’s worked in it. While Republicans keep trying to rip coverage away and hike costs, Sara is putting forward a bold plan to lower prices and expand access through BadgerChoice. This is the kind of leadership Wisconsin actually needs right now,” said State Representative Ben DeSmidt (District 65). “People shouldn’t live one election or one court ruling away from losing their care,” Rodriguez continued. “Wisconsin can take responsibility for our own future and build a health care system that works, and that’s exactly what this plan does.” <h4 style="text-align: center;">LOWER HEALTH CARE PRICES Part of Sara Rodriguez’s “Lower Prices for All Wisconsinites” Plan </h4>As governor, Sara Rodriguez will lower prices and guarantee affordable, reliable health care for every person in Wisconsin. Health care in Wisconsin has become harder to afford and harder to count on. People are being squeezed by rising premiums, sky-high deductibles, and unexpected bills – all while worrying that their coverage could change or disappear without warning. Every dollar swallowed by health care is a dollar that can’t go toward everyday needs, and too often people are forced to put off doctor visits, ration medications, or hope a problem doesn’t get worse because they simply can’t afford to deal with it right now. At the same time, Wisconsinites are caught in the middle of political dysfunction. Decisions made in Washington, DC and stalemates in Madison have left care more expensive, less accessible, and increasingly uncertain – from expiring ACA tax credits to hospital closures, gaps in mental health care, and ongoing threats to reproductive freedom. People deserve better than a system that shifts with elections and court cases. Wisconsin can build a health care system that is affordable, dependable, and protected – and as governor, Sara Rodriguez will lead that work. Sara’s Plan to Make Health Care Easier and Less Expensive <ol><li>Launch BadgerChoice: A Wisconsin Public Health Insurance Option<ul><li>Sara will launch BadgerChoice, a Wisconsin-governed public option offering affordable and reliable coverage.</li><li>This allows anyone priced out of private insurance – farmers, small business owners, early retirees, young adults – to buy in.</li><li>Use Wisconsin’s bargaining power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, hospital care, and mental health services.</li><li>Allow people to keep their current plan but expand choice.</li></ul></li><li>Pass a Wisconsin Health Care Bill of Rights<ul><li>Sara will enshrine core health protections into Wisconsin law so they can’t be rolled back by Congress or the courts.</li><li>Permanently protect people with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage, charged more, or kicked off their plan.</li><li>Ban lifetime and annual coverage limits so no family is cut off from care when they need it most.</li><li>End surprise medical billing and strengthen hospital financial assistance requirements.</li></ul></li><li>Protect and Expand BadgerCare<ul><li>Defend and strengthen BadgerCare so more Wisconsinites can access affordable coverage.</li><li>Ensure people aren’t pushed off coverage because of political gridlock or shifting federal priorities.</li></ul></li><li>Guarantee Mental Health Care as Equal to Physical Health Care<ul><li>Sara will enforce true mental health parity so insurance covers mental health and addiction care the same way it covers physical care.</li><li>Expand access to crisis intervention, adolescent mental health services, and substance-use treatment.</li><li>Give the state real authority to hold insurers accountable when they deny or delay mental health care.</li></ul></li><li>Protect Reproductive Freedom<ul><li>Sara will codify Roe vs. Wade into Wisconsin law and protect access to abortion, miscarriage care, ectopic pregnancy care, and fertility treatments.</li></ul></li><li>Guarantee 12 Months of Postpartum Coverage<ul><li>Sara will end Wisconsin’s dangerous 60-day postpartum cutoff, guaranteeing a full year or Medicaid coverage after birth.</li><li>This addresses postpartum depression, heart complications, and maternal mortality, all conditions that often appear months after delivery.</li></ul></li><li>Protect Rural Hospitals and Emergency Care<ul><li>Sara will work with the legislature to establish a Rural Health Stabilization Fund to keep ERs, maternity wards, and behavioral health services open.</li><li>This expands telehealth and mobile crisis services so people aren’t driving hours for care and ensures fair reimbursement so hospitals can keep their doors open. </li></ul></li></ol>About Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez: Sara Rodriguez is a nurse, a working mom, and Wisconsin’s current lieutenant governor. Before she ever ran for office, she worked ER night shifts, served as a CDC intelligence officer responding to public health crises, led one of the largest health care systems in the Midwest, and owned a small business, all while raising two kids and caring for her father as he lived with Alzheimer’s. Sara first ran for office because she was tired of seeing people who work hard still getting squeezed. In 2020, she flipped a Republican-held Assembly seat in Waukesha County. Two years later, she was elected lieutenant governor, and since then has traveled to all 72 counties – three times – listening to families, workers, and small business owners talk about what’s making life harder and what they want government to fix.Sara grew up in a working-class Wisconsin family. Her mom was a union teaching assistant, her dad served during Vietnam and worked fixing phones, and her grandparents were dairy farmers. She was born in Milwaukee, raised in Brookfield, and now lives in Waukesha County with her husband, a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, and their two kids.Sara’s campaign has shown early strength, raising more than $650,000 directly since launching, with more than $4.5 million more raised for allied Democratic efforts and supporting organizations. That support has allowed her to build a serious, statewide operation early and reflects both grassroots enthusiasm and broader confidence in her ability to compete and win.

MADISON, WI—Today, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez announced a sweeping health care proposal to lower prices and guarantee affordable, reliable coverage for every person in Wisconsin. Rodriguez is making health care a central pillar of her campaign for governor and her broader plan to make life less expensive for working families.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Unveils Signature Health Care Proposal to Lower Prices and Guarantee Affordable Coverage for Wisconsinites

TO: Interested Parties FROM: Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin Campaign DATE: October 2, 2025 RE: State of the Wisconsin Governor’s Race – Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez is the Democratic Frontrunner Who Can Defeat Congressman Tom Tiffany in 2026STATE OF THE RACE: The Democratic field for Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race is beginning to take shape, but one fact is already clear: Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez is the candidate best positioned to take on Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany and win in the general election. Tiffany enters this race as the likely GOP nominee, bringing with him a Washington D.C. agenda that has consistently raised costs on working families, gutted health care and Medicaid for Wisconsinites, and attacked basic freedoms. To defeat him, Democrats need a candidate with proven statewide experience, a resume to hold him accountable for his harmful positions – especially on healthcare, the resources to run a winning campaign, and the grassroots strength to unite and inspire voters across Wisconsin. Sara Rodriguez is that candidate – the clear Democratic frontrunner and the only one ready to defeat Tom Tiffany.RESOURCES &amp; SUPPORT: Sara Rodriguez is assembling the resources, support and statewide infrastructure needed to win in 2026 – more than any Democrat in the race – making her the most viable candidate to win the general election.<ul><li>National Endorsements: Sara has already secured the backing and historic investments from the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association and 314 Action Fund, both signaling confidence in her ability to win.</li><li>Statewide Support: She is consolidating support and grassroots energy from local leaders across Wisconsin who know her record and trust her leadership.</li><li>Resources to Compete: With an initial $2 million pledged investment from the DLGA and robust early fundraising totaling more than $2.5 million, Sara has the resources to build a campaign that can win both the primary and the general.</li></ul>TMJ4: <a href="https://www.tmj4.com/america-votes/democratic-lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-receives-2-million-boost-for-wisconsin-governors-race" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez receives $2 million boost for Wisconsin governor’s race</a>"We believe in Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez's ability to positively impact Wisconsin so much that we are committing to spend $2 million on her behalf to ensure that she wins the Democratic nomination for governor," said Kevin Holst, DLGA executive director.WisPolitics: <a href="https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/314-action-fund-endorses-sara-rodriguez-for-wisconsin-governor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">314 Action Fund Endorses Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin Governor</a>“Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez is leading the fight to protect and expand Medicaid, ensuring all Wisconsinites have access to affordable health care, tackling workforce shortages, and investing in public schools and child care so every family has the opportunity to thrive. As Wisconsin’s next Governor, she’ll continue to stand up and fight for Wisconsinites, backing policy with science and data every step of the way. For the last seven years, Governor Tony Evers has championed pro-science policies — and now it’s time to pass the torch to Sara to continue this work. We’re proud to endorse her and look forward to supporting Sara’s campaign.” -Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action72-COUNTY STRATEGY: Sara has traveled to all 72 counties not once, but three times as Lieutenant Governor. Her ongoing Rolling with Rodriguez statewide tour demonstrates her commitment to showing up everywhere – from farms and factory floors to coffee shops and classrooms. No other candidate in this race can match her statewide presence and direct connection to the people of Wisconsin.Kenosha News: <a href="https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_5e69822b-f5e9-4d45-b89b-c6e479269090.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rodriguez kicks off campaign for governor in Kenosha visit Wednesday</a>WBAY: <a href="https://www.wbay.com/video/2025/09/03/lt-gov-sara-rodriguez-speaks-with-voters-part-statewide-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lt. Gov Sara Rodriguez speaks with voters as part of a statewide campaign</a>Press Gazette: L<a href="https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/03/sara-rodriguez-first-visit-to-green-bay-in-wisconsin-governors-race/85936629007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">t. Gov. Sara Rodriguez outlines political platform in first Green Bay visit in governor's race</a>WKBT: <a href="https://www.news8000.com/news/politics/local-politics/lt-gov-rodriguez-visits-la-crosse-as-part-of-statewide-governor-campaign-tour/article_e9ad2c93-5907-436d-a8a1-302513487523.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lt. Gov. Rodriguez visits La Crosse as part of statewide governor campaign tour</a>WEAU: <a href="https://www.weau.com/2025/09/16/rolling-with-rodriguez-campaign-makes-stop-eau-claire/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Rolling with Rodriguez” campaign makes stop in Eau Claire</a>SARA’S STORY: Sara Rodriguez is not a career politician. She is a nurse, mom, and statewide leader who has dedicated her life to solving real problems for working families. She’s stepped up to lead in emergency rooms, at the CDC, in the state capitol, and across every corner of Wisconsin. Along the way, she’s made life-or-death decisions, managed multi-million dollar budgets, and led teams through real crises – not just political ones. A working mom, Sara is the daughter of a union teaching assistant and Vietnam veteran, and the granddaughter of Wisconsin dairy farmers. Her announcement video introduced voters to that record and set her apart as the only candidate who combines frontline health care expertise with executive leadership and proven statewide viability. Sara’s candidacy offers Democrats a compelling contrast to Tom Tiffany: a public health leader who understands what families are facing at the kitchen table vs. a career politician who votes with billionaires while ripping health care away from rural Wisconsinites.ON THE ISSUES: Sara is centering her campaign on the issues that matter most to Wisconsinites and resonate with voters across the state.<ul><li>Affordability: Too many families are working hard but still getting squeezed. Sara is running to make life more affordable for working families – tackling rising costs in health care, child care, housing, and education so every paycheck goes further.</li><li>Health Care: As a nurse, Sara knows what’s at stake when families can’t get the care they need. She’ll protect and expand Medicaid, lower prescription drug costs, fix Wisconsin’s health care workforce shortage, and strengthen rural hospitals.</li><li>Housing: Safe, affordable housing is the foundation for thriving families and communities. Sara will tackle Wisconsin’s housing shortage, support renters and homeowners, and work with local leaders to expand options so everyone has a roof over their head.</li><li>Child Care: Sara will invest in child care providers, expand affordable options for families, and make sure early childhood educators are paid what they deserve. She’ll fight to make child care a priority in our state budget so families aren’t forced to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for their kids.</li><li>Education: The daughter of a union teaching assistant, Sara will fully fund our public schools, raise teacher pay, and make sure every child has the resources they need to succeed, no matter their zip code.</li><li>Rights and Freedoms: Sara will stand up to Trump and MAGA extremists, defending reproductive freedom, voting rights, and the right of workers to organize. She’ll work to strengthen protections in law so that no politician can roll them back.</li></ul>BOTTOM LINE: Sara Rodriguez has the story, the record, the resources, and the statewide strategy to defeat Tom Tiffany and win the Governor’s office in 2026. She is the clear Democratic frontrunner and the strongest candidate to keep Wisconsin moving forward.###

STATE OF THE RACE: The Democratic field for Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race is beginning to take shape, but one fact is already clear: Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez is the candidate best positioned to take on Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany and win in the general election.

State of the Wisconsin Governor’s Race – Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez is the Democratic Frontrunner

Only declared Democratic candidate quickly building broad coalition of support ahead of 2026 electionMADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, the only declared Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, today announced her second wave of endorsements from community leaders across the state. The list includes local elected officials, school board members, and county leaders from every corner of Wisconsin, underscoring Rodriguez’s growing grassroots momentum just weeks after entering the race.“I’m honored to have the support of leaders who are working every day to strengthen their communities,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. “They understand the challenges facing Wisconsinites because they see them up close – from our schools to our city councils to our county boards. As Governor, I’ll partner with leaders at every level to make life more affordable, protect our freedoms, and build a Wisconsin that works for everyone.”Endorsers praised Rodriguez’s record of leadership and commitment to listening to communities:Regina Vidaver, Madison Common Council President: “As a kindred spirit public health professional, I am thrilled to endorse Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Her expertise in leading high level executive teams, and her experience as Lt. Governor, sets her apart as a candidate. Winning a purple district in Waukesha when she was in the Assembly shows her pragmatic, common sense approaches can meet the needs of everyone across Wisconsin.”Emily Voight, Calumet County Board Supervisor: “As a county supervisor, and mom of autistic children, I have seen first hand how prior-authorization delays and health care worker shortages hurt seniors, parents and small businesses. Sara will hold insurers accountable, grow Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce, fund community health, and put parents – not paperwork first.”&nbsp;Israel Ramón, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds: “Every day my office records the milestones of people’s lives – buying a home, getting married, starting a family, or building generational wealth by establishing businesses. Sara Rodriguez will make those milestones possible for more families by focusing on affordable child care, supporting quality education for all of our children, and making sure we have safe and thriving neighborhoods. She knows how to work across the aisle to bring people together to get things done. Milwaukee County can count on her – and so can Wisconsin.”Joshua Pettis, Mayor of Osseo: “I support leaders who show up, listen, and stay accessible to the people they serve, regardless of whether they’re Republican or Democrat. Sara Rodriguez understands the challenges small rural communities like Osseo face – from the growing concern of rural hospitals closing, to the shortage of affordable housing, to the need for critical infrastructure investments and the funding to make them happen. Her medical background gives her a deep understanding of how vital our healthcare facilities are, and she brings that same commitment to ensuring every community in Wisconsin has the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.”Kenny Harper, Kenosha Common Council Member: “As a Common Council member and small business owner in Kenosha, I know how much local economies depend on strong partnerships with the state. Sara Rodriguez understands that funding our communities means funding opportunity—and she’ll deliver. She’ll be a governor who invests in people and builds a Wisconsin where everyone can get ahead.”Dr. Todd Alan Price, Kenosha School Board Member: “Sara Rodriguez has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our families and shows up to fully fund our public schools. She will walk with us, stand for those who serve, and with her leadership in healthcare, drive our state in a healthy direction. Wisconsin needs a Governor who will uphold the Wisconsin Idea, and steer our state forward, not backward. I enthusiastically climb on the bus and endorse Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez for Governor! Forward with Sara!” Charles Bomar, Chippewa County Supervisor: “Sara Rodriguez for Governor, I’m all in. Sara is kind and thoughtful about the issues at hand. She has the deep professional experiences necessary to bring meaningful solutions to all citizens of Wisconsin, rural to urban. Most importantly she understands healthcare from the bottom up.&nbsp; As a former nurse and business owner she’s been on the front lines delivering heath care to those who needed it most.”Adam Gallagher, Dane County Treasurer: “Sara Rodriguez has proven bipartisan support in both the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Her devoted passion for the best interests of Wisconsin shines every time you visit with her about topics that truly impact everyone personally.”Aron Newberry, La Crosse Common Council Member: "Sara Rodriguez gets it...everything is connected. Public health, the economy, infrastructure, education. She approaches problems with the kind of disciplined, evidence-based thinking Wisconsin needs, and she listens before she acts."Sarah Kirby, Kenosha County Supervisor: “Sara understands the challenges our communities are facing when it comes to housing and providing crucial health services. She also understands the financial challenges our County Human Services Departments are facing and will fight to make sure we can continue to provide the necessary services that Kenosha County residents deserve.”Dave Homan, Rock County Supervisor: “I first met Sara Rodriguez two years ago, and that initial conversation told me everything I needed to know about her leadership. She listened, she understood, and she cared about our priorities. Sara's consistently shown up with that same commitment to partnership ever since. That sincerity and focus are exactly what we need in our next governor.”&nbsp;Diane Voit, Waukesha School Board Member: “Our kids deserve the best education we can give them – great teachers, small class sizes, and safe, adequately funded schools. Sara Rodriguez shares that vision and has the drive to make it a reality. She understands that strong public schools are the foundation of thriving communities, and she’ll fight every day to deliver for students across Wisconsin.”&nbsp;Michael Hallquist, Brookfield Common Council Member: “As an Alderman, I value leaders who respect local voices and work with us to solve problems. Sara Rodriguez is exactly that kind of leader. She listens, she builds consensus, and she gets results. I’m confident she’ll be a governor who keeps local communities at the table and delivers for the people of Wisconsin.”&nbsp;Nicki Vander Meulen, Madison Metropolitan School District Board Member: “Sara is a dynamic leader who is honest, sincere and a champion for public education.&nbsp; Sara will continue to fight for all Wisconsinites.”Mary Wacker, Elmbrook School Board Member: “I know first-hand that Sara Rodriguez’s commitment to public education is rooted in her own public-school experience in the Elmbrook Schools, where I had the privilege of teaching her more than 30 years ago. Since that time, Sara has continued to earn my respect as a medical professional, a public servant, and a Wisconsin resident who understands the importance of dependable healthcare and great public schools. The safety and prosperity of every family in every part of our state is reliant on those fundamental rights. I know Sara takes our constitutional commitment to ensuring the success of public schools seriously. My children and grandchildren deserve a leader who understands that public education matters to all of us. Please join me in voting for Sara Rodriguez as the next Governor of Wisconsin.”The following community leaders have endorsed Sara Rodriguez for Governor:<ul><li>Sara Monty – Brookfield Common Council Alder</li><li>Michael Hallquist – Brookfield Common Council Alder</li><li>Tom Dewane – Brown County Board Supervisor</li><li>Tom Friberg – Brown County Board Supervisor</li><li>Emily Voight – Calumet County Board Supervisor</li><li>Charles Bomar – Chippewa County Board Supervisor</li><li>Adam Gallagher – Dane County Treasurer</li><li>Mary Wacker – Elmbrook School Board Treasurer</li><li>Kenny Harper – Kenosha Common Council Alder</li><li>Sarah Kirby – Kenosha County Board Supervisor</li><li>Dr. Todd Alan Price – Kenosha School Board Member</li><li>Lisa Weston – La Crosse Common Council Alder</li><li>Aron Newberry – La Crosse Common Council Alder</li><li>Peggy Isola – La Crosse County Board Supervisor</li><li>Will Ochowicz – Madison Common Council Alder</li><li>Regina Vidaver – Madison Common Council President</li><li>Nicki Vander Meulen – Madison Metropolitan School District Board Member</li><li>Chris Voll – Marathon County Supervisor</li><li>Israel Ramón– Milwaukee County Register of Deeds</li><li>Joshua Pettis – Mayor of Osseo</li><li>Jayme Heiser – Outagamie County Board Supervisor</li><li>Dave Homan – Rock County Supervisor</li><li>Alicia Halvenslaben – Waukesha Common Council Alder</li><li>Diane Voit – Waukesha School Board Member</li><li>Jane Rusch – Wausau School Board Member</li></ul>Last week Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s campaign <a href="https://www.saraforwi.com/news/wisconsin-leaders-line-up" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced its first round of endorsements from state legislators</a>. Rodriguez was the first Democratic candidate to launch a campaign for governor to succeed Governor Tony Evers, releasing an <a href="https://youtu.be/mRie7wzLKGE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announcement video</a> that highlighted her roots in Wisconsin and experience as a statewide official, public health leader, nurse, and former small business owner.&nbsp;A registered nurse with master’s degrees in public health and nursing from Johns Hopkins University, Sara Rodriguez previously served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC and as an executive in both public and private healthcare systems. She founded her own small business, was a vice president at a Fortune 100 company, and led population health strategy at one of the largest healthcare systems in the Midwest. Rodriguez was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020, flipping a suburban Milwaukee seat. She now serves as Wisconsin’s 46th Lieutenant Governor, elected in 2022 alongside Governor Tony Evers.&nbsp;Learn more at <a href="http://www.saraforwi.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.saraforwi.com</a>. Download the campaign’s candidate media kit <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12U4DDmMlbaF2T943K2V7L9aCeX49Y5UZ?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;###&nbsp;

MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, the only declared Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, today announced her second wave of endorsements from community leaders across the state. The list includes local elected officials, school board members, and county leaders from every corner of Wisconsin, underscoring Rodriguez’s growing grassroots momentum just weeks after entering the race...

Community Leaders Across Wisconsin Endorse Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez for Governor

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will reform our criminal justice system so it keeps communities safe, treats people fairly, and gives people a second chance.Wisconsin's criminal justice system is in need of real reform. We lock up more Black men per capita than almost any other state in the country. We send people to prison for low-level offenses and then make it nearly impossible for them to get jobs, housing, or a fresh start when they get out. We spend hundreds of millions of dollars warehousing people instead of investing in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. And meanwhile, violent crime goes unsolved, victims don't get justice, and communities don't feel safe.For decades, politicians have played tough-on-crime politics while ignoring what actually works. We've built more prisons instead of addressing root causes. We've criminalized addiction instead of treating it. We've imposed mandatory minimums that tie judges' hands. And we've created a system that falls hardest on Black and brown communities while letting wealthy people buy their way out.We can keep communities safe AND treat people fairly. We can hold people accountable for harm they've caused AND give them a path to redemption. We can invest in prevention AND ensure consequences when people commit serious crimes. These goals aren't in conflict – they're how you build a justice system that actually works. Sara Rodriguez will.

As governor, Sara Rodriguez will reform our criminal justice system so it keeps communities safe, treats people fairly, and gives people a second chance.