Wisconsin elects David Crowley as first Black governor

David Crowley will become Wisconsin's first Black governor after defeating Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany. The Associated Press called the race for the Milwaukee County executive on Monday, Nov. 3. Crowley’s campaign centered on lowering costs for working families and creating jobs in the state.

Tiffany’s campaign raised and spent more money than Crowley’s team. Three billionaire donors contributed millions to Tiffany’s effort. The Republican was endorsed by President Donald Trump, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Despite this financial backing and high-profile support, Tiffany did not win the election.

Crowley secured endorsements from outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers and former President Barack Obama. These endorsements helped mobilize Democratic voters. Crowley had won the August primary in a narrow victory over Democratic socialist Francesca Hong. That primary process was volatile. Crowley dropped out once to endorse Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez before re-entering the race after she withdrew.

The Milwaukee County executive positioned himself as a deal-maker capable of working across party lines. He helped negotiate a bipartisan bill that allowed the city and county of Milwaukee to raise sales tax rates. Evers stated that Crowley also played a major role in a $500 million agreement to upgrade the Milwaukee Brewers' baseball stadium. That deal secures the team's presence in the city through 2050.

Crowley’s advertising campaign highlighted President Trump’s unpopularity. The ads tied Tiffany to Trump’s agenda and argued that Tiffany’s voting record had increased costs for residents. One commercial stated, "Wisconsin's not for sale, but Tom Tiffany is, and it'll cost ya." The ads also suggested that a Tiffany administration would cut income taxes for billionaire donors.

Central to Crowley's platform were Medicaid funding and affordable housing. The 40-year-old candidate discussed his personal history of growing up in poverty. He described working-class parents who faced substance abuse and mental health challenges during Milwaukee's crack-cocaine epidemic. He credited education and community organizing with helping him enter the state legislature and later the county executive's office.

Crowley acknowledged the historic nature of his victory. He said at a campaign stop at the Walworth County Fair, "But I'm running to be a governor for all of us. And it doesn't matter what zipcodes you live in, who you love, or where you come from. I want to make sure that we can move our entire state forward."