David Crowley elected Wisconsin’s first black Governor

Crowley’s campaign centered on initiatives aimed at easing financial burdens for working families and fostering job creation within the state. Despite Tiffany’s significantly larger campaign spending, these efforts proved insufficient to sway voters.

Backed by outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers and former President Barack Obama, Crowley successfully mobilized Democratic voters following a closely contested primary win against Francesca Hong. His path to the nomination was marked by a period where he initially withdrew from the race before re-entering and ultimately gaining Evers’ endorsement, a factor widely considered crucial to his primary success.

Crowley presented himself as a collaborative leader capable of bipartisan cooperation. He actively participated in negotiations for a bipartisan bill allowing Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to increase sales tax rates and for a $500 million stadium upgrade to retain the Milwaukee Brewers through 2050, alongside Evers and legislative Republicans.

Tiffany benefited from substantial financial support from three billionaire donors. He received endorsements from President Donald Trump, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

Crowley’s campaign strategically linked Tiffany to Trump’s unpopularity, highlighting Tiffany’s voting record and alleging it contributed to rising costs. An advertisement asserted that Tiffany’s governorship would prioritize tax breaks for wealthy donors.

Defending Medicaid funding and preserving affordable housing were key components of Crowley’s platform. The 40-year-old candidate shared his personal experiences growing up in poverty and overcoming challenges related to substance abuse and mental health within his family, emphasizing his journey through education and community organizing.

“But I’m running to be a governor for all of us,” Crowley stated at a campaign event. “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.”