David Crowley Declares Victory in Wisconsin Governor Race Over Republican Tom Tiffany
Democrat David Crowley declared victory Tuesday in Wisconsin’s open governor’s race after Republican Tom Tiffany conceded defeat. The Associated Press had not officially called the race as of Tuesday evening, but Crowley held a substantial lead with 95 percent of the vote in, leading by eight points and more than 200,000 votes.
If finalized, Crowley’s win marks a historic milestone. He will become the first Black governor in Wisconsin’s 178-year history. The victory also marks the first time that Democrats have held the governor’s office for more than eight consecutive years, succeeding outgoing Governor Tony Evers, who opted against seeking a third term. Evers issued a public statement congratulating Crowley.
A Tumultuous Path and a Hard-Fought Primary
Crowley, 40, grew up on the north side of Milwaukee in one of the country’s poorest neighborhoods, where his parents faced substance abuse and evictions. He later turned to community organizing and politics, winning election to the Legislature at age 30 before being elected in 2020 as Milwaukee County executive. His journey to the top of the Democratic ticket involved significant hurdles. Initially, Crowley stepped away from the contest when a Democratic nomination seemed improbable, but he jumped back in after Evers encouraged him to do so. He subsequently defeated a democratic socialist in the August primary by less than half a percentage point.
HUGE: Democrat David Crowley has won Wisconsin’s race for governor, defeating Republican Tom Tiffany and keeping the governor’s mansion blue. Congratulations, Governor-elect! pic.twitter.com/WBvHt6NI5x
“A few months ago, David becoming Wisconsin’s next governor might have seemed like a long shot. But fight runs in David Crowley’s blood. He was born a Comeback Kid, and David’s grit is as Wisconsin as it gets,” Governor Evers said in a statement.
Facing Crowley in the general election was Tom Tiffany, a congressman who received most of his financial support from just three billionaires and survived a small plane crash while campaigning. However, Tiffany’s campaign faced headwinds from the president’s record-low approval numbers in the battleground state.
Candidates Clash over Economic Policy and Crime
Throughout the final stretch, the candidates sparred over economic policy and industrial development. Tiffany’s campaign attempted to brand Crowley as “Data Center David Crowley,” pointing to past remarks about Wisconsin serving as a global AI and technology hub. Crowley shifted his stance late in October by endorsing a moratorium on data centers, while Tiffany did not call for a moratorium on construction.
In addition, Tiffany sought to depict Crowley as soft on public safety and asserted that Crowley would raise taxes once in office to fund his platform of broader healthcare access and fully financed public schools. Meanwhile, Crowley attacked Tiffany on the economy, arguing that Tiffany’s allegiance to Trump and backing of the conflict in Iran drove up the fuel costs plaguing Wisconsinites.
In his victory speech, Crowley told his supporters that he would be a governor for everyone, including those who didn’t vote for him.
Conceding the race by 9:30 p.m., Tiffany offered well wishes to his opponent. “While we have our differences, we both love this great state and I wish him and his family the very best as he prepares to serve as Wisconsin’s next governor,” Tiffany said in his concession speech.
With control of the governor’s office decided, attention turns to how Crowley will manage a closely divided state legislature, where Democrats fell short of securing the legislative trifecta they sought. As Wisconsin prepares for the next race for the White House, the state cements its status as a key battleground under incoming leadership.
