Democratic Milwaukee County leader David Crowley joins the race for Wisconsin governor

The top-elected official in Milwaukee County, who rose out of poverty in one of the state's poorest neighborhoods, launched a bid for Wisconsin governor on Tuesday, saying his background and experience in office make him uniquely prepared for the job. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joins the battleground state's Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez as the two highest profile Democratic candidates in the 2026 race to replace Gov. Tony Evers, who is retiring after two terms. Crowley, 39, is vying to become the state's first Black governor, while Rodriguez would be the first woman elected to the post.