David Crowley Makes Wisconsin History: First Black Candidate in Wisconsin History to Win a Major-Party Nomination for Governor
August 11, 2026, was Election Day in Wisconsin. But history was not officially written until the ‘wee’ hours of August 12.
In one of the most remarkable political comebacks in recent Wisconsin history, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for governor, narrowly defeating State Representative Francesca Hong and becoming the first Black candidate in Wisconsin history to win a major-party nomination for governor. Crowley now advances to the November general election against Republican nominee U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany.
For Crowley, the victory carries meaning far beyond politics. He is a son of Milwaukee’s 53206 ZIP code, a community that has long faced significant economic and social challenges. His journey from Milwaukee’s North Side to the threshold of Wisconsin’s highest elected office represents a historic milestone few could have imagined when this campaign began.
And what a campaign it was. Even a Hollywood screenwriter would have struggled to construct a script with a political storyline with this many twists and turns. As well, not even, the best fortune teller could not have looked in their crystal ball and seen or predicted the outcome of this primary election.
Crowley was the first to initially enter a crowded Democratic field seeking to succeed Gov. Tony Evers. Then, on July 8, he suspended his campaign. The following day, he endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, arguing that Democrats needed to unite behind a candidate capable of winning the November election. Then the race changed dramatically. Rodriguez withdrew from the contest amid a campaign-finance controversy. Just 10 days after suspending his own campaign, Crowley stunned Wisconsin’s political world by jumping back into the race. However, Crowley did not return alone. This time, however, he returned with perhaps the most consequential endorsement available to any Wisconsin Democrat…the official endorsement of the Governor himself…Tony Evers. Without question, this helped reignite his campaign and gave him instant statewide recognition and launched him ‘over night’ into the national spotlight!
Suddenly, Crowley’s campaign had new life. In essence Crowley’s experience in both state government and local executive leadership, combined with Evers’ endorsement, provided a powerful foundation for his comeback. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes later withdrew as well, further reshaping an already unpredictable contest. In essence, Crowley job experiences at the local and state level….backed by the Governor’s endorsement proved to be a winning combination.
Still, Crowley’s path to victory appeared extraordinarily difficult. Hong, a Madison lawmaker who campaigned as a democratic socialist, had emerged as the race’s progressive frontrunner. Polling shortly before Election Day showed her holding a commanding advantage, with one survey placing her lead as high as 30 percentage points. However, as this election has taught us all…polls do not cast ballots. People do.
On Election Day, Crowley and Hong battled back and forth as returns arrived from across Wisconsin. The race remained extraordinarily close into the early morning hours. Eventually, Crowley prevailed ‘won’ by less than half of one percentage point.The razor-thin result provides another reminder of a fundamental principle of democracy: every vote matters. It also provides a powerful lesson about perseverance. Political campaigns, like life itself, rarely travel in straight lines. There are setbacks, unexpected turns, closed doors and moments when the destination seems impossible to reach.Yet sometimes what appears to be the end of the road becomes the ending to new beginning.
For people of faith, Crowley’s unlikely political journey may also bring to mind a timeless lesson: human beings make plans, but God is the best of all planners.
Later on August 12, supporters gathered at Milwaukee’s Sherman Phoenix as Crowley accepted the Democratic nomination. Rather than focusing solely on his own victory, he thanked voters and acknowledged those who had competed alongside him, including Hong.
Crowley’s message was one focused toward UNITY. After a primary that exposed differences within the Democratic Party, Crowley emphasized collaboration and the need to bring people together for the general election campaign ahead.
He acknowledged the challenge will be significant. Wisconsin remains one of America’s most closely divided political battlegrounds, and Crowley will face Tiffany in November. The primary victory therefore represents not an ending, but the beginning of another campaign.
However, regardless of what happens in November… August 12, 2026, has already earned its place in Wisconsin history.
A boy from Milwaukee’s 53206 grew up to become a state legislator, Milwaukee County executive and now the first Black major-party nominee for governor in Wisconsin history. His improbable journey—from candidate, to former candidate, to candidate once again, and finally to Democratic nominee—demonstrates just how quickly circumstances can change.
With great optimism, Crowley realizes that road ahead will require organization, coalition-building, voter participation and a willingness to bridge differences. But on this historic morning, the message coming from Milwaukee was unmistakably optimistic, visionary and forward-looking. Most of all and not to be understated, the amount of pride and inspiration that David Crowley just put in the hearts and minds of every child in Wisconsin, especially those in Milwaukee, parallels when Barack Obama won the Presidency! In that spirit, Together, We Can! Together, We Will! One Team! One Fight!
