The Sara Rodriguez Campaign Is A Breath Of Fresh Air

Shortly after Governor Tony Evers announced that he was not running for reelection, Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez became the first Democrat out of the gates.  And she is off to quite an impressive start.

She started with this introductory video:

 In just two and a half minutes, she gives you her entire bio without losing your interest.  She is also impressive with her focus and directness but keeping it homey and relatable at the same time. (Hi Sara's mom!)

And her last line about "earning" our votes was just the chef's kiss.

While Rodriguez was impressive in her introductory video, her first campaign event was something special.  

Most candidates have big, flashy campaign kickoffs, with other politicians to show their support, lots of speechifying, and of course, their palms out.  But Rodriguez did none of those things.  Her first campaign event was to go to Milwuakee and hold a listening session with veterans.  A listening session!

Many candidates kick off their campaigns with big launch parties where they do most of the talking.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez decided to listen instead.

Rodriguez, the first Wisconsin Democrat to announce a campaign for governor in the 2026 race, had a discussion with about a dozen veterans in Milwaukee on Aug. 14. It was her first public campaign event in the Milwaukee area since she announced in late July that she was running for the state's highest office.

In all the time I've been watching politics, I have not seen one candidate do this.  How absolutely refreshing it is to have a politician actually listen to the people.  Republicans don't even pretend to listen to people, dodging town halls and only doing very strictly controled events at companies that support them.  And too many Democrats only pretend to listen until they tell you to shut up and vote the way they tell you.  

The more I think about it, the more refreshing her campaign is.

And just because she was a nurse, a mother, says Hi to her mother, don't think for one second she is a pushover.  Shortly after she started her campaign, some sleazebuckets went after her husband, questioning his immigration status.  She not only fired point blank at them, she reloaded and fired again!

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I'm not ready to make an endorsement quite yet because it's still early.  But I will say that I would have no problem supporting Rodriguez.  She's obviously very intelligent and she's repeatedly proven herself.  She not afraid to speak plainly and directly without pulling punches (and she is correct about the maniac in the White House). But most impressive to me is that she listens. It's so unusual, it's hard to believe. It's almost too good to be true.

I sincerely hope she continues on the path she is on because so far, she is doing everythng picture perfect.

To learn more about Sara Rodriguez, including how to help her, please visit her website.