The elected executive for Wisconsin’s largest county is running for governor.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says what distinguishes him from the other 9 Democratic candidates he is competing with in the August primary election, is his experience governing more than 900,000 citizens and managing a $1.3-billion budget.
His political experience makes him the only candidate who has a resume that approaches the responsibilities of the office he is seeking.
“I’m the only one with direct executive experience balancing billion-dollar budgets and managing through crises,” says Crowley. “As county executive, you’re essentially serving as a mini-governor.”
Crowley’s leadership as county executive reflects that of former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, who served in the same seat as him for 8 years until he ran for the governor’s office in 2010.
Since his election in 2020, Crowley has had to act on a variety of national and local issues impacting communities within Milwaukee County. He’s been tasked with responding to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, historical local flooding damages in the county’s municipalities, and the recent rise in gas prices.
His office is responsible for overseeing executive departments and programs, such as the Milwaukee County Transit System, while implementing public policy that supports all of its residents.
Before his work as the county’s executive, Crowley served in the state assembly, where he represented communities in northwestern Milwaukee. During his 3-year tenure as assemblyman, he says he learned the importance of relationship and trust building in policymaking.
“It’s not only my experience, but also the results we’ve delivered,” says Crowley. “Communities trust me because I’ve produced results as a legislator and as county executive.”
His continued results are what has led Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson to endorse him.
Johnson also believes that Milwaukee County Executive serves in a similar way to that of the governor. With Milwaukee County spanning 19 unique municipalities, the Milwaukee mayor has witnessed Crowley’s ability to serve people of different backgrounds.
A lot of Johnson’s faith in Crowley as a candidate for governor lies in his ability to connect and bridge diverse communities.
“Bridge builder is not just a slogan, it’s actually David’s life’s work,” says Johnson. “With the work that he’s been able to accomplish over the course of his time in office, he’s been able to get things done that are beneficial to not just the city but to the entire county.”
Crowley’s goals as governor maintain these same values. Especially with the rise in gas prices nationally, Crowley notices that local action needs to work for everybody in offsetting these costs.
Recent national polling has supported that Americans across the country are concerned with the state of the economy. The April Marquette Law School National Issues Poll found that a majority of participants were concerned with the current cost of living and rising inflation. Rising gas prices has only increased this stress.
The director of the poll, Charles Franklin, thinks that will play heavily into who voters select in August and November.
“Inflation and the cost of living has been the number one issue concerning people in national and Wisconsin-specific polls since the middle of 2022,” says Franklin. “I’d be very surprised to see if these issues go away between now and November.”
With these concerns ripe on the minds of both Democrats and Republicans, Crowley is focusing his campaign on how he can improve the costs for all Wisconsinites.
Crowley says he wants solutions that demonstrate his ability to connect state politicians across the aisle, while keeping the communities and businesses of Wisconsin in the conversation. By connecting ideas of constituents and local Wisconsin organizations to those within the state capital, he believes that Wisconsin can produce innovative solutions that serve everyone.
“Everything has to be on the table,” says Crowley.
While the governor can’t change gas prices, Crowley wants to offset the rising costs by investing in state services. He mentioned installing statewide initiatives to fully fund public schools, raise the current $7.25 an hour minimum wage, and reduce housing costs for Wisconsin families.
Even with an array of proposed solutions, Crowley still falls back on his wide experience in Wisconsin politics as support for his own abilities.
“Anyone can make promises,” says Crowley. “My campaign is built on proven public policy that I’ve already implemented while leading the second-largest government in Wisconsin.”
This story was written by Henry Beaumont. He can be reached at [email protected]