Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a Democrat, was elected governor of Wisconsin on Tuesday. He defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who conceded in a speech at 9:45 p.m. Central, or 7:45 p.m. Pacific, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.
Crowley will be the first Black governor in Wisconsin's 178-year history. Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, his running mate, was elected lieutenant governor, and both take office in January, when they replace outgoing Gov. Tony Evers. The results stay unofficial until election officials certify them in the coming weeks.
Crowley's path to the office
Crowley became Milwaukee County's youngest and first Black county executive in 2020, after serving in the state Assembly from 2016. He left the governor's race in early July and reentered 10 days later with Evers' backing, after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out. He beat state Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison in the Democratic primary by less than a percentage point.
Tiffany's campaign attacked Crowley's record in Milwaukee County, including a deal with legislative Republicans that let the city and county raise sales taxes.
Tiffany's first statewide loss
Tiffany has represented Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District since winning a special election in May 2020, according to his House office biography, and served in the state Assembly and Senate before that. The governor's race was his first statewide campaign, and the loss ended a winning streak that began with his election to the Assembly 16 years ago.
