Democrat David Crowley will become Wisconsin’s first Black governor after defeating Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany, according to an Associated Press race call. Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, campaigned on lowering costs for working families and bringing more jobs to the state.
Tiffany’s campaign significantly outspent Crowley’s and had support from three billionaire donors. He was also endorsed by President Donald Trump, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Crowley’s campaign linked Tiffany to Trump and argued that his support for Trump’s agenda had contributed to rising costs.
Crowley entered the general election after a closely contested Democratic primary against democratic socialist Francesca Hong. He had briefly left the race and endorsed Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, but returned after she withdrew. Outgoing Governor Tony Evers backed Crowley, as did former President Barack Obama.
Crowley presented himself as a deal-maker able to work across party lines. He and Evers worked with legislative Republicans on a bipartisan bill allowing Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to raise sales taxes. Evers also credited Crowley with a major role in negotiations over a $500 million stadium upgrade deal intended to keep the Milwaukee Brewers in the city through 2050.
Crowley made protecting Medicaid funding and preserving affordable housing central parts of his platform. He also spoke about growing up in poverty with working-class parents who faced substance abuse and mental health challenges. He said education and community organizing jobs helped him overcome those hardships before he entered the Wisconsin Legislature and later became county executive.
Crowley said he recognized the historic significance of becoming Wisconsin’s first Black governor, but emphasized that he was running to represent the whole state. At a campaign stop, he said he wanted to move Wisconsin forward regardless of residents’ ZIP codes, whom they love or where they come from.
Sources: NPR News.