Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
6.0%
18.9%
11.0%
9.0%
7.5%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$273.6K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOther
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age40 years old (May 14, 1986)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationWisconsin
BackgroundPolitician
EducationBay View High School
Notable personal detailsDavid C. Crowley is a Democratic politician serving as Milwaukee County Executive (first elected in 2020 and reelected on April 2, 2024). He previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Milwaukee’s west side (2017–2020). Crowley attended Bay View High School and earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Ericka, and their three daughters.
SourcesShowHide
county.milwaukee.goven.wikipedia.orgcrowleyforwi.comwpr.orgapnews.commilwaukeemag.comspectrumnews1.comfuelmilwaukee.orghoodline.cominkl.comtmj4.comwispolitics.comurbanmilwaukee.comcbs58.commcw.eduwisn.comdailycardinal.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.orgfec.govgwenmoore.house.govhistory.house.govcruz.senate.govnadler.house.govjudiciary.senate.govcongress.govgovinfo.govvanhollen.senate.govwikidata.orgbaldwin.senate.govballotready.orgpressley.house.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.
Show moreShow less
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 updatedJun 12, 2026
David Crowley is in the news as one of seven Democrats running in Wisconsin’s governor primary, with a debate scheduled in Milwaukee ahead of the August 11 vote. His campaign also pushed back on Joel Brennan’s remarks about whether Wisconsin is ready to elect a non-white governor, saying voters should focus on experience, vision, and leadership instead of race or gender. The race is still wide open, with many voters undecided and Democrats hoping to build on recent statewide momentum.
county.milwaukee.gov+35
Articles
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette1 month ago
Brennan clarifies comments about prospects for non-white candidates
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 days ago
7 Democrats running for governor to square off in televised debate
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 months ago
Gen Z voters in Wisconsin are skeptical of both political parties
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 months ago
Will Tommy Thompson return with a run for governor? | Politics mailbag
Neutral
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising