A “fresh” round of endorsements for Democratic governor candidates has exposed how little excitement the party’s contenders can generate on their own.
Radio host John “Sly” Sylvester endorsed former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. Sylvester built much of his reputation on crude personal attacks against conservative women. He drew widespread condemnation for sexually explicit and demeaning remarks about former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, including jokes that mocked her cancer battle and suggested she advanced her career by performing sexual favors. His sudden reappearance and tepid endorsement, justifying a vote for Barnes because he drives a union car, have been widely viewed as a sign of how little momentum the Barnes campaign has been able to build on its own.
Recently, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. re-upped her endorsement from interim Gov. Martin Schreiber, a relic from America’s Bicentennial era. The octogenarian added his name to a list of establishment figures trying to give Rodriguez a boost.
Former U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen endorsed state Sen. Kelda Roys. Kagen, who served two terms in Congress before losing re-election to Reid Ribble, previously drew federal scrutiny when the FDA warned him for manufacturing and shipping allergy shots across state lines without proper licensing. He also faced criticism during his campaigns for exaggerated claims that he had become Karl Rove’s top target and for lying about conversations he had with Rove in the White House.
The endorsements are a reminder that candidates are desperate to generate any earned media by dredging up aging, controversial figures whose past conduct and limited relevance have become liabilities rather than assets.
