David Crowley declares victory in narrow Milwaukee County executive race

Updated: 10:27 p.m. on April 13, 2020

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (CBS 58) -- State Rep. David Crowley has declared victory as the next Milwaukee County executive.

With 100% reporting Monday night, Rep. Crowley has 96,541 votes and Sen. Larson has 95,502 votes.

In a statement, Crowley said in part:

“I’m proud that our community was able to put politics aside and think about what’s best for all of our community and I’m hopeful that we will be able to continue to work together as we move forward through this crisis and into the future. Once we get through these trying times, we need to get to work rebuilding our economy and getting our residents and businesses back on their feet in every neighborhood in this county.

Thank you and stay safe and healthy. The real work begins now. We will get through this, together.”

Sen. Larson has not conceded, and released the following statement:

"Don't let anyone tell you otherwise: this race is far from over. We are weighing all options in this race with hundreds of ballots yet to be counted. In an election where voters faced unprecedented hurdles to the ballot box, it's essential that we count each and every vote before making a decision."

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Posted: 3:49 p.m. on April 13, 2020

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County voters are waiting to learn who will succeed Chris Abele as county executive.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced in October, he's not seeking another term. The race is now between State Senator Chris Larson and State Representative David Crowley. 

Crowley has been using online platforms to communicate with supporters on Twitter. On election day last week, he said he is confident in what his team has accomplished. 

Crowley currently severs as a state representative for District 17, covering much of Milwaukee's northwest side. He was elected to that position in 2016. He's from Milwaukee and the issues he says he's focused on include prioritizing racial equality, criminal justice reform, supporting public transit, and reinvesting in parks. 

Crowley has also laid out some place to handle the coronavirus if he is elected. 

Meantime, it's been a strange campaign for Larson. He says he got in late, and with the pandemic there hasn't been much campaigning of late. It's Larson's second run at this seat. He lost to current County Exec. Chris Abele four years ago. And in this race, Abele has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars backing Larson's opponent. 

L:arson has been in the State Senate since 2010, and spent two years as minority leader. He says that gives him the experience to lead a county.