Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany to become the first Black governor in Wisconsin history, as Democrats appeared to gain unified control of the state legislature.
Democrat David Crowley has been elected as Wisconsin's next governor, making history as the first Black person to hold the office in the state's 178-year history. According to a race call by the Associated Press, Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive, defeated Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany.
With 91% of precincts reporting, Crowley received 53.5% of the vote, while Tiffany received 46.5%, according to WisPolitics. The election results suggest Democrats may take unified control of the state Legislature, which would be the first time the party has held such control since 2010.
Crowley's campaign focused on an affordability agenda, including proposals to lower costs for childcare, healthcare, and housing. He also campaigned on defending Medicaid funding and preserving affordable housing. In contrast, Tiffany's campaign focused on Crowley's record as Milwaukee County Executive, specifically regarding crime and tax rates. Tiffany's campaign was significantly outspent; WisPolitics tracked $195 million in total spending, with $123.6 million coming from Tiffany and Republicans, outspending Crowley nearly 2-to-1.
Crowley, 40, grew up in a Milwaukee neighborhood facing poverty and homelessness, with parents who struggled with substance abuse. His political career includes serving in the Wisconsin Legislature and as Milwaukee County Executive since 2020.
Tiffany, 68, is a Republican Congressman representing a largely rural area in northern Wisconsin. His campaign received significant financial support from three billionaire donors, including Dianne Hendricks and residents Richard and Liz Uihlein.
Crowley's path to the governorship included a tumultuous primary. He briefly dropped out of the race in July, endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, but re-entered the race after Rodriguez withdrew from the race due to financial irregularities. Crowley ultimately won the August primary by less than a percentage point over democratic socialist Francesca Hong, following an endorsement from outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
Tiffany's victory was also impacted by national political trends. According to MPR News, voters in the state held increasingly negative views of President Donald Trump, whose job approval rating dropped to 37% among registered voters in a recent Marquette University Law School Poll. Crowley's campaign frequently tied Tiffany to the President's agenda.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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