Milwaukee Co. Executive David Crowley launches bid for governor
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The top elected official in Milwaukee County announced Tuesday he's now seeking the highest elected office in Wisconsin. County Executive David Crowley officially launched his bid for governor after indicating earlier this summer he planned on entering the race to replace outgoing Gov. Tony Evers.
The 39-year-old Milwaukee native is now the second Democratic official seeking to take the party's torch from Evers, joining Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who launched her campaign in July.
Crowley became the youngest person elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020. He was re-elected to the office last year. His signature achievement in that office was working with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson to broker a compromise deal with Republican lawmakers that allowed the city and county to increase their sales taxes while also increasing state funding for local governments.
In exchange, Republicans placed conditions on Milwaukee, including requirements for how the increased tax dollars could be spent and mandating the return of school-based police officers at Milwaukee Public Schools.
In his campaign video, Crowley made his central city upbringing a key theme. Crowley noted the hard times he faced growing up and said those inspired him to serve people, first as a community organizer, then later as an elected official.
"Evicted three times as a kid, having to pick up yourself and everything you own off the curb. It'll break you or it'll make you," Crowley said in the video. "I didn't want any child to go through that."
Crowley said the pillars of his platform would be improving schools, making the streets safer, creating new jobs and making life more affordable for people.
Before being elected county executive, Crowley served two terms in the state Assembly, from 2016 to 2020.
On the issues
Crowley's campaign video listed his primary goals as improving classroom outcomes, making communities safer, and lowering the cost of living. He discussed those positions in an interview with CBS 58 Tuesday.
Regarding education, Crowley said his top priority would be pushing to have Wisconsin return to an older school funding system that saw the state consistently cover two-thirds of a district's cost.
Funding boosts alone haven't led to better results in schools. Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) received $770 million in federal COVID-19 aid, but the district still has some of the nation's worst academic outcomes among large urban districts. Crowley said the difference is districts need consistent revenue streams.
"We've lost the way we need to invest in public schools," Crowley said. "We can't make assumptions, nor should we ever think that one-time funds is gonna turn around anything, particularly for the largest public, or frankly, for the smallest public school in our entire state."
When asked about public safety, Crowley pointed to traffic calming initiatives Milwaukee County has pursued during his five years in office, specifically those having to do with rethinking road design. When asked what specific policy measures he'd prioritize as governor, Crowley did not name any.
"I think there's a lot of public safety priorities that we have out there," he said. "Every community has a different priority out there, and I'm looking to make sure we have solutions that right-sizes the communities' needs."
On the issue of affordability, Crowley specifically listed cutting through bureaucracy on new housing policy as a priority for lowering the cost of living.
However, Crowley cautioned it'd be difficult to bring about immediate change. He said that's why it'll be a priority next fall to help Democrats win a majority in both the Assembly and Senate.
"We have to recognize that me just being governor isn't gonna be a flip of a light switch." he said. "We've had a great governor in Tony Evers, but he's had a divided government with Republicans obstructing a lot of the work he's been wanting to do."
Other candidates weigh in
In a statement, Rodriguez said she respected anyone who wanted to serve the state. She then differentiated herself from Crowley by noting her past experience in statewide office as lieutenant governor.
"This moment calls for someone with statewide experience and a proven record of delivering results across all 72 counties," Rodriguez said. "That's exactly what I bring to this race."
Rodriguez is currently on a tour of all 72 Wisconsin counties, which has so far included stops in Kenosha, Green Bay and La Crosse.
Also on the Democratic side, Ryan Strnad, a beer vendor at American Family Field, launched a longshot bid for governor last month.
The Democratic field is expected to grow in the coming months. State Senator Kelda Roys of Madison has said she's strongly considering a run. Attorney General Josh Kaul has not ruled out running for governor, although he hasn't hinted at a campaign, either.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has said he's interested in one day running for governor but has repeatedly said it doesn't necessarily have to be in 2026.
On the Republican side, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and New Berlin business owner Bill Berrien are the two confirmed GOP candidates so far.
Schoemann recently wrapped up a 72-county tour in Buffalo County. Berrien released a statement slamming Crowley as a lifelong bureaucrat.
"Surprise, surprise; another career politician has jumped into the race for governor of Wisconsin," Berrien said in a statement. "After years of failed leadership from bureaucrats like David Crowley and Tony Evers, Wisconsinites are ready for a builder to take the reins and lead our state to a bright and prosperous future."
Schoemann targeted Crowley over how his neighboring county has operated, claiming issues in Milwaukee County have made Washington County more attractive. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Milwaukee County had a population of nearly 940,000 compared to about 137,000 who live in Washington County.
"Aside from our low taxes, accessible middle-class housing, good schools and conservative reforms, Milwaukee County's dysfunction is the greatest advertisement for Washington County," Schoemann said in a statement Tuesday. "Good luck to County Executive Crowley in the Democrat primary. Seriously."
GOP Congressman Tom Tiffany is also weighing a run for governor; he's said he expects to make a decision this month on his future plans. State Sen. Mary Felzkowski from the Northwoods recently told the Associated Press she's thinking about running but won't if Tiffany gets in the race.