David Crowley makes history as Wisconsin's first Black governor, winning crucial Democratic race

Democratic Party candidate and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared victory in his race for Wisconsin’s governorship.

The win made Crowley as the first black person voted into office in Wisconsin, as well as marking it the first time the Democratic consecutively held office for eight years in the state. He would replace Tony Evers, who retired instead of seeking a third term.

Crowley’s historic win deals a blow to Republicans

According to the Associated Press, the win would seriously hamper Republican efforts to reign control over the state, which US President Donald Trump had earlier secured in two of his three election campaigns.


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The forty-year-old Milwaukee representative was born on the north side of the city, growing up in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the US, according to AP.

Despite his parents battling substance abuse and evictions, Crowley eventually turned towards community organising and politics, which led to him being elected to the legislature at 30 years of age.

He served just over three years before being elected in 2020 as Milwaukee County executive.

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From community organising to Wisconsin’s top office

According to AP, the politician initially faced hurdles, with him dropping out of the race when he was unlikely to win the Democratic nomination. Crowley returned only after being encouraged by Evers.

He defeated a Democratic Socialist in the primaries and went on to contest against Republican candidate Tom Tiffany.

The republican candidate had earlier criticised Crowley for his alleged support for AI data centres, referring to him as "Data Center David Crowley." However, Tiffany has also remarked positively about the Democrat in the past, according to the agency.

Tiffany accused Crowley of intending to raise taxes to expand healthcare and fully funding public schools, Associated Press said.

Crowley was also criticised for expanding Medicaid coverage and increasing access to child care.

Wisconsin's governor's race was open for the first time in 16 years after Evers decided against seeking a third term. The victory would place an additional Democratic Party representative to run for the White House, as well as bolstering the party’s strength in the Senate.

A unique moment in election history

The United States went from having only three elected Black governors to several securing governorships in the 2026 US mid term elections

Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Crowley were elected as the first Black governor in Florida and Wisconsin, respectively, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore won reelection.

In addition, Keisha Lance Bottoms’ victory in Georgia would bring two Deep South states under the governorship of Black leaders for the first time, according to AP.

(With inputs from AP)