Missy Hughes drops out of governor race, endorses Sara Rodriguez

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Missy Hughes, the former CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., has dropped out of the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. Hughes on Monday said she would endorse Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez instead.

“I am proud to have served Wisconsin as a mother raising a family, as a member of our small community, through the farmers of Organic Valley and as secretary of Wisconsin economic development,” Hughes said in a news release. “I will always look for ways to serve, but it won’t be as governor. Today, I am suspending my campaign.”

Hughes’ exit leaves Rodriguez, state Rep. Francesca Hong, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Greater Milwaukee Committee President Joel Brennan, state Sen. Kelda Roys and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes the remaining Democrats in the race. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, remains the only Republican running in for governor.

Rodriguez led a straw poll at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention this year with 27.5% of the vote, with Hong and Roys trailing behind her, WisPolitics reported. Hughes only received 10 votes.

Hughes noted Rodriguez’ experience as a Peace Corps volunteer, emergency room nurse and official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Sara led teams and communities and brought them together,” Hughes said. “I trust that she will do that as Governor, and that she will do it well.”