MADISON, Wis. -- While questions remain about why she dropped out of the gubernatorial race earlier this week, Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton's private car was vandalized at her Madison home about two and a half months before she first said she'd run for the Democratic nomination for governor if Gov. Jim Doyle bowed out.

Madison police said that a window on Lawton's Buick Regal was smashed out on June 23. The incident was reported to police by her husband Charles, or Cal. The incident took place in the security-locked parking garage below her home at an East Side condominium building.

Police officials said that at the time of the report, there was no information about any possible suspect or who could have committed the vandalism. The incident was reported about 10 a.m.

A staff employee at Lawton's state Capitol office on Thursday said that Lawton was en route to New York to attend an invitation-only event in her official capacity.

Matt Dulak said that Lawton had been invited to a dinner of women venture capitalists by Springboard Enterprises. The firm connects female venture capitalists with women who are in the process of starting their own small business or interested in attracting capital for it. Lawton spoke at a forum for Springboard Enterprises on Oct. 1 at the Fluno Center.

She is expected back in Madison on Saturday, her office said.

Lawton has been in the news this week after she suddenly dropped out of the race for governor on Monday after short e-mail to supporters. She has said it was a "deeply personal" private decision that she made with her family based on a variety of factors.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.