Milwaukee County Executive candidate Sen. Chris Larson concedes race to Rep. David Crowley

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- State Sen.Chris Larson has conceded the race for Milwaukee County Executive to State Rep. David Crowley. 

Larson congratulated Crowley in a video message on Tuesday, April 14. 

The race was tight with 96,541 for Crowley and 95,502 for Larson. Larson had previously kept open the option of challenging the results of the contested race.

“We realized having that prolonged fight would further divide the community at a time where we need to come together, and especially in the midst of a global pandemic,” Larson said.

David Crowley becomes the first African-American to win an election for the position.

“This is a historic moment," Crowley said. "When you think about not just me winning this race, being the first African-American to be elected to the Milwaukee County executive seat, but also in the city of Milwaukee where we have numerous African-Americans running for executive positions.”

Crowley was financially backed by outgoing County Executive Chris Abele and says he supports many of his ideas. But he does want changes.

“We’ve seen how the relationship between the county executive’s office, and the Milwaukee County board has dwindled. And not just under county executive Abele’s administration.”

But he said long term goals have to wait.

“Policy doesn’t matter at this moment. We have a coronavirus crisis right now. We have people who are not working. We have businesses who’s doors are shut right now.”

Crowley will take over for Abele May 4.