Dem Governor Candidates FLEE Candidate Forum Over Gaza Genocide Questions
The political apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as Wisconsin Democratic governor candidates follow Kamala Harris’ failed 2024 moral cowardice
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Status Coup has learned two Democratic candidates for Wisconsin Governor abruptly backed out of a candidate forum last week after they learned they would be asked direct questions about Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Wisconsin’s definition of antisemitism, and state laws meant to curb the boycott, divestment, and sanction [BDS] movement.
Current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley both skipped a forum sponsored by the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance scheduled for last Wednesday. A week later, Crowley dropped out of the race entirely on July 8th.
The most recent Wisconsin Democratic primary poll for governor has Rodriguez in a distant third place (19 percent) behind former Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (28 percent) and Democratic Socialist candidate Francesca Hong (30 percent).
Rodriguez nor Crowley’s campaign responded to Status Coup’s questions and request for comment.
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“I think it’s important for our community to know who shows up, and who doesn’t.” one of the forum’s moderators said during the event. “Sara Rodriguez didn’t show up, and David Crowley didn’t show up. And I think that says a lot about where we shouldn’t put our votes, but that’s just me.”
The Muslim Civic Alliance and its connected nonprofit, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Foundation, had developed a robust list of topics and questions that would challenge the candidates. Those topics leaked to several of the candidates’ campaigns, two sources close to the campaigns and Civic Alliance told Status Coup.
On the morning of the forum, the Alliance sent an email to all campaigns to dispel misinformation surrounding the leaked topics. The email included an attachment with all of the questions the candidates would be asked at that evening’s forum.
While the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza may seem like a world away from the dairy farms of Wisconsin, it’s a topic—given its growing domestic political importance—that mainstream Democratic candidates should be ready to answer.
Apparently, that was too tall a task for Rodriguez and Crowley.
“Do you agree ... that the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide?” posed one question. “Would you repeal Wisconsin’s anti-[boycott, divestment, and sanctions] law?”
The latter makes it much harder for people opposed to the genocide in Gaza to get government institutions in Wisconsin, and other states that have similar laws, to take meaningful economic action that could send a message to Israel.
Rodriguez and Crowley’s abrupt fleeing of the candidate forum leaves voters with no choice but to think they did not want to answer the Gaza question.
This Wisconsin cheesehead political dynamic echoes what we saw from Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024—who refused to:
Depart from President Biden’s ardent support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Propose a policy under a Harris administration other than full financial support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Demand a Palestinian-American be allowed to speak at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Offer real criticism for Israel’s genocide in Gaza (aside from providing softer rhetoric on the need to elevate Palestinian humanity)
Two years later, Harris seems to have learned her lesson; Axios recently reported the former VP has been privately courting pro-Palestinian activists along with back-channelling with popular New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Beyond the easy-to-answer Gaza genocide questions that led to Rodriguez and Crowley’s abrupt fleeing of the candidate forum, other questions were more difficult (when grading on the curve of your average corporate Democrat).
“Would you repeal Act 143-yes or no?” read one question. Act 143, passed in 2025, makes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism law in Wisconsin. The definition is often derided for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
Status Coup learned Lt. Governor Rodriguez offered to meet with the organizers of the forum in private—similar to former Vice President and potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ recent moves to speak with pro-Palestinian activists behind closed doors.
In attendance at the forum were Democrats Mandela Barnes, state Rep. Francesca Hong, and state Sen. Kelda Roys. Andrew Manske, a Republican, also attended the forum. Manske’s primary opponent, Congressman Tom Tiffany, who has Trump’s endorsement, did not accept an invitation to the forum.
Crowley is the second candidate to drop out of the Democratic primary and support Rodriguez. Last month, pro-business candidate Missy Hughes did the same.
Polling of the race suggests Hong, a democratic socialist, is in the lead. Barnes and Rodriguez are jockeying to be her main opposition.
The Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor will take place on August 11th.
Report how the candidates answered the questions. I watched a video of the forum but the sound was terrible and I couldn't hear or see responses to these questions.
It's important to remember that the Republican Party needs to be reduced to a minority in Congress this year. Expecting moral purity from Democratic candidates before you vote for them is self-defeating.