Crowley wins Wisconsin governor’s race to succeed Evers

Democrat David Crowley is projected to defeat Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the Wisconsin governor’s race, according to The Hill’s partner Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Crowley was leading 54 percent to 46 percent with 63 percent of the vote reported by DDHQ as of 10:20 p.m. EST.

Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, will fill the seat of retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who endorsed him in the state’s Democratic primary.

The 40-year-old Wisconsin native was the youngest person to be named county executive in Milwaukee County history, and he was the first Black person to hold the office when he stepped into the role in May 2020.

Now, Crowley is Wisconsin’s first Black governor.

President Trump won Wisconsin in the last presidential election, but it has become a swing state in the past decade.

Crowley notably defeated progressive Francesca Hong in the Badger State’s Democratic primary in August , despite trailing by double-digits in polling.

He originally exited the race in early July, placing his support behind Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez but eventually rejoined the campaign trail once Rodriguez dropped out in mid-July.

After Crowley’s upset victory over Hong, election handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted November’s general election toward Democrats. DDHQ listed the race as “leans Democrat.”

Crowley grew up in Milwaukee and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to study community engagement and education, but he did not complete his degree due to political work. He ultimately earned his degree 20 years later in 2024.