First Black Man Nominated by Major Political Party in Wisconsin

Published August 12, 2026 at 10:30 AM EDT

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN -- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has won Wisconsin’s Democratic nomination for governor, becoming the first Black man in state history to secure a major party’s gubernatorial nomination. Crowley, 40, narrowly defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong after entering Election Day more than 20 points behind her in recent polling. With 97% of votes counted when the race was called, Crowley held a lead of 3,885 votes, and Hong later conceded.

Crowley’s victory sets up a November general-election contest against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany for the open seat being vacated by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. If elected, Crowley would make history again as Wisconsin’s first Black governor. His campaign emphasized affordability, education, job creation and expanding economic opportunity while presenting Crowley as a coalition-building moderate capable of winning the battleground state.

Read more: https://milwaukeecourier.com/news/2026/08/12/david-crowley-becomes-first-black-man-to-be-major-partys-nominee-for-wisconsin-governor