Author: Martin Rakacolli

Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik and state Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, have both dropped out of the Democratic primary, leaving the field of Democrats vying to challenge Gov. Scott Walker at eight.  

“The response to my candidacy has been incredible, and we've been picking up momentum and supporters every day, but just not fast enough,” Gronik wrote in a statement.  

“I have spent my life dedicated to serving my neighbors, friends, and the people of the great state of Wisconsin,” Wachs said in a Facebook post. “That commitment led me to run for governor, and it is the same commitment that now requires I stand aside.”

Gronik cited results from the most recent Marquette Law School poll as part of the reason for his dropping out. The poll showed Gronik tied for sixth in the primary with Mahlon Mitchell, each receiving four percent of the vote and both behind front-runner Tony Evers at 25 percent.

The same poll found that Wachs was the primary choice of two percent of voters in the Democratic primary, behind Evers as well.

Wachs proceeded to endorse Evers, stating that “I believe Tony is the best person to defeat Scott Walker in November.”

Gronik threw his support behind fellow Democrat Kelda Roys. In a statement on his website Gronik wrote: “We need to choose the candidate that will beat Scott Walker in November. I believe that candidate is Kelda Roys.”

The gubernatorial primary will be held on August 14.