Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
6.0%
18.9%
11.0%
9.0%
7.5%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$684.6K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleCommissioner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age40 years old (May 14, 1986)
GenderMale
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LocationWisconsin
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (B.S., Community Engagement and Education, 2024)
Notable personal detailsDavid C. Crowley is an American Democratic politician serving as Milwaukee County Executive, first sworn in May 2020 and reelected in April 2024. He previously represented Wisconsin’s 17th Assembly District from 2017 to 2020. Crowley graduated from Bay View High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (community engagement and education). He is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Wisconsin in 2026.
SourcesShowHide
county.milwaukee.goven.wikipedia.orgcrowleyforwi.comapnews.comwpr.orgmilwaukeemag.comurbanmilwaukee.compbswisconsin.orgcrowleyforwigov.comwisn.comspectrumnews1.comwikidata.orgmilwaukeecourier.comfox6now.comwispolitics.comreddit.comcbs58.commcw.edudailycardinal.comhoodline.comjsonline.comwisconsinexaminer.comwkow.commilwaukeecourieronline.commilwaukeerecord.comchannel3000.comcivicmedia.usfacebook.cominstagram.comballotpedia.orgballotready.orgbaldwin.senate.govgwenmoore.house.govhistory.house.govforeign.senate.govvanhollen.senate.govgovinfo.govpadilla.senate.govnga.orgncsl.orgcongress.govtransition.fec.govfec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports reducing reliance on property taxes by diversifying local revenue (including a sales tax increase), favors tax relief for working families, and backs state budget investments in services while seeking commissions or reforms to the tax code rather than blanket tax cuts. Emphasizes using new revenue streams to fund public services and pension obligations and to invest in housing, transit, and public safety.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable healthcare, protecting Medicaid and Medicare funding, and advancing public health and health equity initiatives at the county level. Prioritized investments in mental health crisis care and appointed a chief health policy advisor to guide public-health and equity-focused policies. Has acted to maintain county employee healthcare coverage and opposed federal funding cuts that would reduce critical health services.
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Immigration & Border
David Crowley opposes local law-enforcement partnerships with ICE and supports existing Milwaukee County policies that do not honor ICE detainers or assist federal immigration arrests. He has called for local law enforcement to focus on community protection rather than serving as federal immigration agents and criticized ICE arrests at the county courthouse.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports protecting and restoring abortion access and describes abortion as essential healthcare; he has said he will defend a person’s right to make reproductive health decisions and opposes laws that restrict abortion. He co-sponsored a 2017 legislative resolution declaring abortion is health care and has issued statements criticizing decisions that limit abortion access.
Climate & Energy
David Crowley has advanced a county-level climate strategy aiming for net‑zero carbon emissions in Milwaukee County operations by 2050 and has supported clean energy installations and energy-efficiency programs. His administration enacted the Milwaukee County Climate Action 2050 plan and pursued measures such as on-site solar and workforce programs tied to energy efficiency. These actions emphasize emissions reductions, clean energy investment, and equity-focused climate resilience at the county level.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes preventing and reducing gun violence through community-based violence-prevention programs, investments in public safety infrastructure, and removing illegal guns from streets while collaborating with state and local partners. Policy statements focus on funding prevention (e.g., Advance Peace), improving public-safety facilities, and coordinating with the governor’s office on violence-prevention efforts.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 10, 2026
David Crowley has ended his Wisconsin governor campaign and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, urging other Democrats to unite behind her against Republican Tom Tiffany. His campaign had also recently pushed back on Joel Brennan’s remarks about race and electability in the race. Crowley was still listed in the crowded Democratic primary field before his exit, which has seen other candidates also drop out and endorse Rodriguez.
county.milwaukee.gov+42
Articles
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette17 hours ago
David Crowley calls on Democrats to clear the field for Sara Rodriguez
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 months ago
Brennan clarifies comments about prospects for non-white candidates
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette1 month ago
7 Democrats running for governor to square off in televised debate
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette3 months ago
Gen Z voters in Wisconsin are skeptical of both political parties
Neutral
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of David Crowley for Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Racine Firefighters Local 321
Labor organization
Racine Firefighters Local 321 endorsed David Crowley.
Ryan Strnad
Elected official
Ryan Strnad endorsed David Crowley for governor after ending his own campaign.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Elected official
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson endorsed David Crowley for governor.
Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 215
Elected official
Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 215 endorsed David Crowley for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising