David Crowley claims Wisconsin governorship in first Black leadership in state history
The 40-year-old Milwaukee native defeated U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany to break a long political cycle in the Great Lakes state.
By Rafael Bailey ·
Forty-year-old David Crowley will soon occupy the governor’s mansion in Madison, Wisconsin, making him the first Black person to lead the state in its 178-year history. His victory over U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany on Tuesday night ends a long period of Republican dominance in the executive branch. Democrats will now control the governor’s office for more than eight consecutive years, a streak that had not occurred since the early 1990s. Crowley, who grew up in one of the nation’s poorest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, told cheering supporters that his journey began with a family facing eviction. Because of their votes, he said, a boy from that background would now live in the state’s executive residence.
The path to this election was defined by shifting political alignments and personal history. Crowley entered the race after initially dropping out of the Democratic primary when his odds appeared slim. Gov. Tony Evers, who retired rather than seek a third term, urged Crowley to return. Crowley subsequently defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong by less than half a percentage point in the August primary. He then faced Tiffany, a Republican who received most of his campaign funding from three billionaires. Tiffany, 68, had represented a mostly rural district in Congress since 2020 after serving in the state legislature for nine years.
Crowley’s political career began at age 30 when he won a seat in the state legislature. He served for just over three years before being elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020. His rise to the governor’s office contrasts with the state’s recent history of close elections. Wisconsin has seen five of the past seven presidential races decided by less than one percentage point. President Donald Trump won the state in 2016 and 2024 but lost in 2020. In 2018, Evers defeated former Gov. Scott Walker by 1.1 percentage points. Evers then won reelection in 2022 by 3.4 points, a margin considered large by local standards.
The campaign focused heavily on economic pressures and infrastructure. Tiffany labeled Crowley “Data Center David,” citing a clip where Crowley called Wisconsin a potential AI and data hub for the globe. Crowley shifted his stance in October to support a moratorium on data center construction. Tiffany did not call for such a pause. Crowley accused Tiffany of loyalty to Trump and support for the war in Iran, which he argued contributed to high gas prices hurting farmers. He also ran to overturn Act 10, a 15-year-old law that limited collective bargaining for public workers. Tiffany had voted for that law during his time in the state legislature.
Democrats now hope to achieve a trifecta by flipping both legislative chambers. They have not held full control of state government since 2010. While the Associated Press had not yet called enough races to determine the final legislative balance, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos predicted Democrats would take the majority. Vos posted on social media that the next two years would test the resolve of both parties. He added that the coming period would clarify the choice ahead and that Republicans were ready for both outcomes.
Tiffany survived a small plane crash while campaigning this year. He weighed down by Trump’s low approval ratings in the state, Tiffany conceded defeat and wished Crowley success. He stated he wanted to be magnanimous in the loss. Crowley promised to govern for everyone, including those who did not vote for him. He described Wisconsin as neither a red state nor a blue state. In a state this close, he noted, nobody gets to govern alone. He pledged to work across party lines to lower costs for residents.
The state is now preparing for a new leadership team. Crowley’s administration will take office after the current term ends. The open race occurred for the first time in 16 years after Evers opted not to seek another term. The last open contest was in 2010, when Republican Scott Walker defeated Democratic incumbent Jim Doyle. Walker’s tenure saw the enactment of Republican priorities that scaled back union rights and required voter identification. Crowley’s win ensures a Democrat will lead Wisconsin during the next presidential election cycle.
