At Sheboygan visit, Rodriguez defends campaign timing, doesn't say if she'd have signed Evers' budget

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Stopping to tour city development efforts in this lakeshore community Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez addressed the timing of her announcement she's running for governor.

Rodriguez launched her campaign with a video release Friday, one day after Gov. Tony Evers announced he will not seek a third term. The video her campaign uploaded to YouTube was dated July 17, one week before Evers' announcement.

Rodriguez told reporters Tuesday she first learned Evers was not seeking re-election last Thursday. Evers said one day earlier in Milwaukee he told Rodriguez of his plans Thursday, and he added reporters would have to ask her about the timing of her campaign video.

"Governor Evers was clear. I was given notice that he was going to resign at the same time the cabinet members were, which was the day he resigned," Roriguez said. "And so, that's kind of all I'm willing to say about that timeline."

A campaign spokesperson said Rodriguez recorded videos both for a gubernatorial campaign and also for another run for lieutenant governor if Evers decided to run again. 

The video now shows an upload date of Monday. The spokesperson said that's because the video was originally posted as unlisted to the public, then on Monday, the campaign switched the video's status to public.

"Sara and her team were prepared to hit the ground running," a spokesperson said in an email Tuesday. "Which is exactly what voters can expect from her as Governor: to be ready on day one to roll up her sleeves and get to work."

A CBS 58 reporter asked Rodriguez about the timing at the outset of her Sheboygan visit Tuesday. A staffer from the lieutenant governor's office interrupted to say it was an official event, and Rodriguez was not allowed to address campaign questions. 

"I'm happy to talk about that at a different time because we are on an official stop here today," Rodriguez added. 

Earlier in the exchange, Rodriguez discussed the campaign-related subject of whether she'd support a large field in the Democratic primary.

"I think a robust primary is good. People can ask questions," Rodriguez said. "They can see what people's experience are, what their policies are gonna be. They can be battle tested for the general [election.]"

So far, the only other Democrat to declare they intend to run for governor is Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. State Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said last week she's strongly considering a run. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said it's an office he'd like to pursue, although he added it didn't necessarily have to be in 2026.

Rodriguez on Evers' budget deal

The lieutenant governor declined to say outright whether she would have accepted the deal Evers did with GOP leaders for the 2025-27 budget he signed earlier this month. 

"The governor signed the best budget he could with an oppositional Republican Assembly and Senate," Rodriguez said when asked if she'd have taken the deal. "And that's what he was able to do."

Evers told reporters Monday Rodriguez was not involved in budget conversations. Rodriguez said Tuesday she played a lead role in a health care workers task force that provided recommendations that made it into Evers' executive budget.

"The governor is the person who the buck stops on his desk, right? So, he's gonna be the one that's gonna be negotiating with the leadership with the budget," Rodriguez said. "Absolutely was able to give my ideas. We did the health care workforce task force; all of those were included with the governor's original budget. Unfortunately, many of them were stripped out by Republican leadership."

Rodriguez said she believed she could work with a Republican legislature to adopt key Democratic priorities, such as Medicaid expansion. Wisconsin is one of 10 states to have not expanded Medicaid eligibility. It's a program currently under fire from the Trump administration and national Republicans.

"I do think it's realistic because it makes economic sense," Rodriguez said.