Sara Rodriguez’s campaign sent a text message to supporters Monday night with suggested social media posts to defend her after a chaotic press conference regarding her campaign finance scandal. They used the wrong Twitter handle and later issued a correction.
Multiple sources confirmed the campaign distributed sample posts mirroring talking points from Rodriguez’s Monday press conference. She addressed firing her campaign manager over inaccurate finance filings, double-counted donations, and a campaign left with just $200,000 cash on hand.
The suggested posts repeatedly tagged @SaraRodriguezWI. The campaign’s actual X account is @saraforw, while the previous account is not associated with the candidate. A follow-up message from the campaign noted the correct handle.
One sample post read: “Most politicians hide from problems. @SaraRodriguezWI walked to a podium and told us the truth. That’s the kind of leader we need as our next Governor. She has my full support!”
Another stated: “Sara Rodriguez said it best: ‘Part of being a leader is taking swift action and doing the right thing.’ That’s exactly what she did. That’s why she has my support. Onward to November!”
A third attacked Republican rival U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany while again using the incorrect handle.
The error comes one day after Rodriguez held a press conference admitting her campaign had far less money than reported, had not paid vendors, and could not fund a claimed $1 million ad buy. She fired campaign manager Kara Spencer on Sunday after discovering “serious mismanagement and inaccuracies” in finance filings, including double-counted contributions.
Rodriguez has insisted the episode is “a bump in the road” and “not disqualifying,” vowing to stay in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary for governor against Mandela Barnes, Francesca Hong, Joel Brennan and Kelda Roys.
The communications misstep compounds questions about basic competence within a campaign already under scrutiny for a major campaign finance scandal less than a month before the primary.
