By Fatma Younis
Democrat David Crowley has won the Wisconsin governor’s race, NBC News projects, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and maintaining Democratic control of the key swing state office.
Historic milestone
Crowley, 40, becomes the first Black person elected governor of Wisconsin and the youngest to win the office in nearly a century. He succeeds two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Campaign contrast
Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, overcame a significant fundraising disadvantage against Tiffany, whose campaign was fueled by three billionaire megadonors. Crowley centered his bid on an affordability agenda targeting childcare, healthcare and housing costs, while highlighting his personal story of growing up in poverty in Milwaukee.
Primary comeback
Crowley’s path to the nomination was unconventional. He suspended his primary campaign in July while polling in the low single digits, then relaunched 10 days later after a crucial endorsement from Evers. He narrowly defeated progressive state Rep. Francesca Hong by fewer than 4,000 votes.
General election dynamics
Tiffany, a Trump ally representing a rural northern district, struggled against national headwinds as Wisconsin voters held increasingly negative views of the former president. Crowley received late support from national figures including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Strong turnout in Democratic strongholds Milwaukee and Dane counties provided the winning margin.
