Sara Rodriguez

LGBTQ / Transgender Policy

• Introduced AJR53 to constitutionally protect “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” and create a private cause of action.
  AJR53, “Relating To Equal Rights On The Basis Of Sex, Gender Identity,” Wisconsin State Legislature, 5/13/21

• Issued a public statement supporting “trans kids” (“We support you… We have your back).
  Sara Rodriguez, Facebook, 6/16/21

• Evers-Rodriguez administration vetoed budget language that would have barred Medicaid coverage for puberty blockers (for gender dysphoria/transition) and gender reassignment surgeries.
  Staff, “Evers Vetoes Provision That Sought To Block Medicaid Coverage Of Gender Reassignment Surgeries, Puberty Blockers,” Wausau Pilot & Review, 7/8/23 

• Administration proclaimed “Rise Up For LGBTQ Youth Day
  Baylor Spears, “Evers Declares ‘Rise Up For LGBTQ Youth Day,’” Wisconsin Examiner, 10/18/23

• Participated in Pride-related messaging/events, including an official Pride flag raising at the Capitol.
  Juliana Tornabene, “Progress Pride Flag Raised Over Wisconsin State Capitol,” WMTV, 5/30/25

• Protecting Medicaid coverage for gender-transition-related care (including puberty blockers in gender-dysphoria contexts) via the administration’s veto posture.
  Staff, “Evers Vetoes Provision That Sought To Block Medicaid Coverage Of Gender Reassignment Surgeries, Puberty Blockers,” Wausau Pilot & Review, 7/8/23

Election Reform

• Introduced AB150 to require ranked-choice voting.
  AB150, “Relating To Ranked-Choice Voting,” Wisconsin State Legislature, 3/10/21

• Introduced AB1068 to institute automatic voter registration and address “deceptive election practices,” “voter intimidation,” etc.
  AB1068, “Relating To Automatic Voter Registration,” Wisconsin State Legislature, 7/25/22

Abortion

• Co-sponsored legislation to overturn Wisconsin’s 1849 felony abortion ban.
  Ruth Conniff, “Democratic Candidates For Lieutenant Governor Make Their Final Pitch,” Wisconsin Examiner, 8/5/22

• Said she volunteered with Planned Parenthood and emphasized access to a “full range” of reproductive healthcare including abortion.
  Press Release, “Rep. Rodriguez: Statement On Governor’s Special Session,” WisPolitics, 6/22/22

• Publicly stated “Abortion IS healthcare… safe AND legal” and pledged continued fight.
  @SaraForWI, X, 9/30/22

• Promoted changing/updating the constitution in connection with abortion protections.
  Press Release, “WisDems: Wisconsin Democrats, LG Nominee Sara Rodriguez, State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Challenge Republicans For Refusing To Support Abortion, Voter Referendum,” WisPolitics, 9/30/22

• Campaigned with Planned Parenthood Action Fund at abortion-rights rally.
  Press Release, “Planned Parenthood Action Fund: Membership Event Turns Out Hundreds Of ‘Wisconsinites For Abortion Rights,’” WisPolitics, 10/8/22

• Praised Biden-Harris abortion policy during a DNC speech.
  Jessie Opoien, “Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Grabs DNC Speaking Slot, Talks Up Harris On Health Care,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/19/24

• Pushed abortion protections into constitutional/structural changes.
  Press Release, “WisDems: Wisconsin Democrats, LG Nominee Sara Rodriguez, State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Challenge Republicans For Refusing To Support Abortion, Voter Referendum,” WisPolitics, 9/30/22

DEI / Race-Based Economics

• Calling for state action related to DEI methods and asserting minorities lack access to capital.
  Grant Ritchey, “Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Tackles Housing, Education During Oct. 3 Visit To Racine,” Racine County Eye, 10/3/25

Education

• Attacked school-choice vouchers as “siphoning money” into a “private, unaccountable system.”
  Jesse Lin, “Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Outlines Political Platform In First Green Bay Visit In Governor’s Race,” Green Bay Press Gazette, 9/3/25

• Called for increased University of Wisconsin funding to ease tuition burdens.
  Clara Strecker, “Rodriguez Talks UW System Funding, Bid For Governor,” Daily Cardinal, 11/18/25

Healthcare Government Programs

• As chair of a healthcare workforce task force, argued Wisconsin’s budget surplus should fund recommendations.
  Baylor Spears, “Governor’s Health Care Workers Task Force Releases Recommendations,” Wisconsin Examiner, 8/20/24

• Document cites a proposal to expand Medicaid to fund workforce initiatives.
  Baylor Spears, “Governor’s Health Care Workers Task Force Releases Recommendations,” Wisconsin Examiner, 8/20/24

• Document cites recommendations like loan repayments, housing supports, and stipends for providers in shortage areas.
  Baylor Spears, “Governor’s Health Care Workers Task Force Releases Recommendations,” Wisconsin Examiner, 8/20/24

Union Control

• Introduced AB438 to restore collective bargaining rights for UW Hospital employees.
  AB438, “Relating To Collective Bargaining Rights,” Wisconsin State Legislature, 7/1/21 

• Received/was supported by major unions and labor PAC activity (e.g., AFL-CIO, AFSCME endorsement.
  Molly Beck, “Democrat Sara Rodriguez Gains A Key Union Endorsement In The 2026 Wisconsin Governors Race,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/19/25

Gun Control

• Participated in events hosted by Giffords PAC; portrayed as a “gun safety champion”—attackable as aligned with national gun-control organizations.
  Press Release, “Giffords PAC And Lieutenant Governor Nominee Sara Rodriguez Campaign In Milwaukee,” Giffords, 11/7/22

• Endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund—attackable as part of gun-control network.
  Press Release, “Everytown For Gun Safety Action Fund Expands Endorsements For Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, And Secretary Of State,” Everytown For Gun Safety, 8/30/22

COVID Policy

• Introduced AB88 to require face coverings and impose penalties for non-compliance.
  AB88, “An Act Relating To: Requiring Face Coverings,” Wisconsin State Legislature, 2/18/21

• Document includes criticism that CDC COVID guidance and recommendations were “politicized” and undermined trust.
  Robert Redfield And Robert Moffit, “It’s Time To Fix The CDC,” The Heritage Foundation, 5/14/25

Campaign Finance

• Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association committed $2 million via independent expenditure to support her gubernatorial bid—attackable as benefiting from big outside money.
  Charles Benson, “Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez Receives $2 Million Boost For Wisconsin Governor’s Race,” TMJ4, 10/4/25