David Crowley becomes first Black man to be major party’s nominee for Wisconsin governor

He pulled it off. 

Down by more than 20 points in the polls headed into Election Day, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has won the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor. 

The race was called at 1:20 a.m. by Decision Desk HQ after Milwaukee election officials made a “human error” when they had to redownload the voting totals and make a return trip to Central Count from the Courthouse. 

With 97% of the vote in, Crowley led state Rep. Francesca Hong by 3,885 votes, a lead too large considering the counties left to be counted. And Crowley’s campaign confirmed in the early morning hours that Hong conceded the race. 

Officials in Green County said the election results there will be delayed following a “server issue,” but the results shouldn’t impact the race. 

Crowley didn’t speak to supporters on Election Night, but accepted the nomination on Wednesday from the Sherman Phoenix on the city’s north side. 

“I especially want to thank (Hong). Her campaign reminded people all across Wisconsin that there are no long shots when it comes to believing in a better future and fighting to expand opportunities to every family,” Crowley said.” That kind of passion strengthens our democracy and I look forward to earning their support.

“Now that this primary has come to a close, allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is David Crowley. I am a son of Milwaukee. I am a community organizer by heart who just happened to find himself in the halls of the State Capitol Building and the head of Milwaukee County government for the last six years. 

“Today begins the next chapter. Today, we get back to work. We’ll knock on more doors. We’ll have more conversations. We’ll welcome Democrats, Republicans, independents and every Wisconsinite who believes in democracy.”

Crowley, 40, becomes the first Black man to be a major party’s nominee in state history. If elected, he would become the first Black governor ever.  

“This historic moment is not lost on me, but I’m not thinking about that because we still got work to do,” Crowley said. “The job is not finished. If I do become the first, my job is not to become the last and provide more opportunities for young men and women all across this state.” 

The polling in recent days also showed there were a lot of undecided voters, who could have broke for Crowley in the final days. The county executive polled very low in the race before dropping out and then reentering the race with Gov. Tony Evers’ support. 

Hong spoke to supporters in Madison before the race was called, where she said regardless of the outcome the political left must unite to defeat Republican Tom Tiffany in November. 

“We have built a beautiful multigenerational, multipartisan, multiracial, working class movement,” she said. “We have built something that will change politics forever. The work we have done will be remembered forever. 

“We are ready to keep fighting. No matter who wins this primary, we are going to continue to fight for each other. We are going to collectively reject despair and we are going to unite. 

“In 11 weeks, no matter who’s on this ballot, we are going to fight to win for one another. We will win together united because everyone that’s running in this race knows that we can make better possible and we must make better possible. 

“We are fighting to become once more what Wisconsin has always been, a place where our future is determined not by corporations and billionaires, but a future that is determined by the working class people who live here. 

In Milwaukee, the city was once again polarized with the north side overwhelmingly supporting Crowley while other parts voted for Hong. Officials initially reported low turnout this election, but a clearer picture will appear in coming hours.

The razor-thin margin and the ongoing rift in the Democratic Party means there will be a lot of sour Hong supporters. 

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is attempting to unite the party beginning Wednesday late morning at an event with Crowley, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Rep Mark Pocan. Hong also attended while Evers had a prior committment.