David Crowley

Why should voters elect you the next governor of Wisconsin?

Wisconsin needs a governor who understands the challenges families face and has a record of delivering results. As Milwaukee County Executive, I have worked to expand mental health services, invest in affordable housing, strengthen public safety, grow our economy, and make government work better for the people it serves.

I’m running on the Badger Basics: great public schools, affordable health care, safe communities, economic opportunity, and infrastructure that supports growth. My focus is on lowering costs, raising wages, supporting working families, and ensuring every Wisconsinite, regardless of where they live, has a fair shot at success. Wisconsin’s future depends on investing in people, and I have the experience and vision to get it done.

What is the top issue facing Wisconsinites and how would you address it?

The top issue facing Wisconsinites is affordability. Too many families are working hard but still struggling to keep up with the cost of housing, health care, child care, groceries, and everyday necessities. When people cannot afford the basics, it affects every part of their lives and limits our state's economic potential.

My approach starts with the Badger Basics: fully funding public education, expanding access to affordable health care, increasing the minimum wage to $20 an hour, building more affordable housing, lowering energy costs, and investing in workforce development and infrastructure. Wisconsin succeeds when working families succeed. My goal is to make sure every Wisconsinite has a fair shot at economic security and the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families.

What is the top policy goal you would like to accomplish in your first 100 days in office?

My top priority in the first 100 days would be launching a statewide affordability agenda focused on reducing the everyday costs that are squeezing Wisconsin families. Too many people feel like they are falling behind despite working hard, and government should be focused on making life easier, not more expensive.

This means taking action to reduce housing costs, lower utility bills through energy-efficiency investments, expand access to affordable child care, and ensure families can access quality health care without financial hardship. I would also work to make strategic investments that put more money back into people's pockets. Wisconsin's success should be measured by whether working families can build financial security and plan confidently for the future.

What kind of relationship should Wisconsin’s governor have with the federal government?

The governor's job is to be Wisconsin's strongest advocate, working with the federal government when it benefits our state and standing up to it when it does not. Whether the administration in Washington is Democratic or Republican, my focus will be on securing resources, creating economic opportunities, and delivering results for Wisconsin families. As Milwaukee County Executive, I have successfully worked through both Democratic and Republican administrations, including during the Trump presidency, to bring federal investments, economic development opportunities, and critical resources back to Wisconsin. I will work aggressively to secure federal funding for infrastructure, health care, workforce development, and education. When federal policies threaten Wisconsin's economy, values, or constitutional rights, I will not hesitate to push back. My loyalty is not to any administration in Washington, it is to the people of Wisconsin.

How would you approach working with the Legislature if there are Republicans in power in one or both chambers?

I have spent my career working with people who do not always agree with me, and I understand that governing requires partnership, not constant conflict. As Milwaukee County executive, I successfully worked with a Republican Legislature to pass Act 12, securing a long-term fiscal solution that protected essential county services and demonstrated that meaningful progress is possible when leaders come to the table focused on results.

If Republicans control one or both chambers, I will look for common ground on issues where Wisconsinites expect action - lowering costs, strengthening our workforce, improving infrastructure, supporting public safety, and expanding economic opportunity. That does not mean compromising on core values. I will always fight for public education, voting rights, reproductive freedom, and policies that help working families. My approach will be simple: work together where we can, stand firm where we must, and never lose sight of who we are elected to serve.

How would you approach working with the Legislature if there are Democrats in power in one or both chambers?

If Democrats control one or both chambers, I would see it as an opportunity to move quickly on the issues that Wisconsin families have been waiting too long to address. That includes strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable health care, increasing housing supply, supporting working families, protecting reproductive freedom, and making strategic investments in our workforce and infrastructure. But unified government is not a blank check. I believe in setting clear priorities, demanding accountability, and focusing on policies that produce measurable results. My goal would be to build broad coalitions, move meaningful legislation, and ensure that every decision we make improves the lives of Wisconsinites. The people of this state expect progress, and I would work every day to deliver it.

What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?

One of my favorite Wisconsin history facts is that the first kindergarten in the United States was established in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1856. German immigrants brought the idea from Europe, and it eventually spread across the country, transforming early childhood education in America. I love that story because it shows how Wisconsin has long been a place of innovation and opportunity, where new ideas can take root and make a lasting impact far beyond our state borders.

But the tastiest fun fact about Wisconsin is that Two Rivers is the true home to the ice cream sundae!