David Crowley’s close primary victory over Francesca Hong sets the stage for a Wisconsin governor’s race against Republican congressman Tom Tiffany, who aligns closely with former President Donald Trump. Crowley’s surprise win overturns expectations and provides moderate Democrats a favorable opponent, given Trump’s declining approval in the swing state.
Crowley defeated Hong in a dramatic primary on Tuesday, surprising many who viewed Hong as the frontrunner. This positions Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, against Tiffany, who must now address Crowley’s bipartisan record. With Trump’s approval ratings in decline, Crowley aims to capitalize on Tiffany’s close association with Trump to build a broad coalition, including Hong’s supporters.
Crowley stated, “This isn’t establishment versus progressive. This isn’t insider versus outsider. This is Democrats defeating a MAGA extremist in Congressman Tom Tiffany, and that’s what we should focus on moving forward.”
Former Republican Governor Scott Walker, a Trump supporter, believes Tiffany can distance himself from federal policies due to the state-focused nature of the gubernatorial race. “He’s got to be on point, on message every time that comes up, and say, ‘That’s not what’s on the ballot,’” Walker noted.
However, former Republican Majority Leader Dale Schultz sees Crowley as posing a tough challenge for Tiffany, forcing the campaign to concentrate on issues such as healthcare costs and economic concerns.
Tiffany represents Wisconsin’s conservative north regions, where Trump narrowly won in past elections. Meanwhile, Democrats view the general election as a chance to gain full state control, leveraging Trump’s low ratings. Crowley targets younger voters who initially backed Hong, though political analysts like Republican strategist Rusty Schultz say rallying these voters is challenging.
Crowley, now 40, often references his challenging upbringing in Milwaukee’s poorest district to connect with voters. His political journey began with his election to the state Assembly in 2016, and he later became Milwaukee County executive. His campaign for governor resumed after a brief dropout period, bolstered by support from Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Crowley’s victory makes him the first Black person nominated by a major party for Wisconsin governor. He now seeks to become the state’s first Black governor and the fourth Black governor in U.S. history. Despite this historic context, Crowley emphasizes his focus on the ongoing campaign efforts, aiming to pave the way for future leaders.
Crowley remarked, “This historic moment is not lost on me. But I’m not even thinking about that because we’ve still got work to do. The job is not done. The job is not finished. My job is not to become the first, and if I do become the first, my job is to make sure I’m not the last.”