Wisconsin Governor Endorses Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in Democratic Primary
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Outgoing Governor Tony Evers has endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who reentered the Democratic gubernatorial primary two weeks after suspending his campaign, as the party seeks to secure the governor’s office and state legislative control in November.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley rejoined Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor on Saturday, receiving an endorsement from outgoing Governor Tony Evers. The endorsement comes after Crowley paused his campaign two weeks earlier to support former Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who later withdrew amid a finance scandal.
Crowley told supporters that winning the election will require "building the broadest possible coalition" and said Evers' backing reflects confidence in his experience. Evers, who was on a trade visit to Africa at the time, posted on social media that he is "all in" for Crowley, praising his record on job creation and budget management.
The primary, scheduled for Aug. 11, features Crowley alongside candidates Francesca Hong, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Sen. Kelda Roys and former Evers aide Joel Brennan. Democrats aim to retain the governor’s office and flip the state legislature, which has been under Republican control since 2011.
Crowley, who would become Wisconsin's first Black governor if elected, said his campaign will become "much more aggressive" in the final weeks, citing renewed volunteer energy from Evers' endorsement. He added that a primary win would allow Democrats to focus on preventing Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany from advancing a "extreme MAGA agenda" in the state.
Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, the likely general-election opponent, criticized Crowley’s record as county executive and framed the Democratic contest as a choice between his candidacy and a socialist platform.