Democrat David Crowley has been elected governor of Wisconsin, making history as the state's first Black governor. Crowley, the current Milwaukee County Executive, defeated Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in a race that highlighted sharp contrasts between the candidates.
Throughout the campaign, Crowley frequently drew parallels between Tiffany and former President Donald Trump, criticizing Tiffany's voting record and alignment with Trump's policies. Crowley specifically pointed to a Republican tax cut and spending bill, arguing it benefited high earners while reducing funding for essential programs like healthcare and food assistance.
"We don’t need what is happening in Washington, D.C., coming into the state of Wisconsin. It is very clear that he is working for Donald Trump and the billionaires who are funding his campaign," Crowley stated during a debate.
Tiffany, a congressman from northern Wisconsin and an ally of Trump, countered by emphasizing his focus on the state's residents. He accused Crowley of being anti-Trump and suggested that Crowley's policy proposals sounded "like a socialist."
"I think it’s really important to know that he said there’s very little difference between me and Francesca Hong," Tiffany argued, referring to Crowley's opponent in the Democratic primary. "That sounds like a socialist to me."
Crowley secured the Democratic nomination in August, narrowly defeating state Rep. Francesca Hong. Tiffany, in turn, gained national attention in September for surviving an emergency water landing after the single-engine plane he was traveling in experienced engine failure and crashed into a lake.
Wisconsin remains a critical battleground state in national politics. It was narrowly carried by Trump in the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections, while Joe Biden won the state by a slim margin in 2020. Crowley's victory marks a significant shift in the state's gubernatorial leadership.