Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says he plans to enter Democratic field for governor
Crowley, while not an officially announced candidate, signaled his plans a day after Gov. Tony Evers announced that he would not seek re-election.
"I care deeply about the direction Wisconsin takes from here. It is more important than ever that Wisconsin continues to have strong leadership," he said in a statement on July 25.
"Governor Evers has laid a strong foundation. I believe it's our responsibility to build on that progress — and I look forward to engaging in that conversation with the people of Wisconsin."
More: 12 key moments in the Tony Evers era as Wisconsin governor
If elected, Crowley would become the state's first African American governor, after becoming Milwaukee County's first African American county executive in 2020.
For more than a year, Crowley, 39, has been coy about whether he would actively seek higher office, routinely stating he planned to carry out his term as county executive after his re-election in 2024 while also keeping the door open to a gubernatorial run.
Crowley has more than $200,000 in campaign cash on hand, according to his July 2025 campaign finance report. He has also received roughly $71,000 in contributions through June 30 this year. He's received individual and committee contributions, including from Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs and commissioner Mark Thomsen and former Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry.
While Crowley was raised in one of the state's toughest ZIP codes — 53206 — he later pursued a career in politics, serving as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly between 2017 and 2020.
Three years ago he also decided to pursue a degree at UW-Milwaukee and graduated last December, all the while carrying out his duties as county executive.
Crowley has in the past expressed support for legalizing marijuana, preserving access to abortions in Wisconsin, and has criticized President Donald Trump's spending plan's effects on Medicaid and food stamps.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who served in the state Assembly after Crowley left, is the only candidate in the primary as of Friday, July 25. But the field will all but certainly grow. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and state Sen. Kelda Roys are considering bids, among others.
(This story is developing and will be updated.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley says he plans bid for governor
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