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David Crowley wins Wisconsin governor race over Tom Tiffany
CBS News projected Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor on Tuesday, as Tiffany conceded; local outlets said Crowley would be the state's first Black governor.
- New York Times is now reporting this
Democrat David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, won Wisconsin's open governor's race on Tuesday over Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, CBS News projected1. Tiffany conceded before 10 p.m.2,5.
Outlets in Milwaukee and Madison said Crowley would be the first Black person elected governor of Wisconsin2,3,4,5. He would succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who CBS News said was blocked from running again by term limits1.
WISN 12 said the result would keep the office in Democratic hands and mark the first time the party has held it for more than eight years in a row5.
Crowley, 40, was elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020 after serving in the state Assembly and was reelected in 20244,5. FOX 9 said he was the county's first Black and youngest executive, elected at 332. The Wisconsin Examiner dated that county milestone to 20193.
CBS News said Crowley won the Aug. 11 Democratic primary by about 4,000 votes over democratic socialist Francesca Hong after dropping his bid, backing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, then re-entering when Rodriguez quit1. FOX 9 said he re-entered 24 days before the primary and was endorsed by Evers2. The Examiner said Evers argued Crowley was the Democrat able to beat Tiffany, and Crowley disputed that he was merely an establishment stand-in3.
CBS News said Crowley tied Tiffany to President Donald Trump, citing a September Marquette University Law School poll that found 60% disapproval of Trump in Wisconsin and a Crowley 49%–Tiffany 46% likely-voter split1. WISN said Crowley also attacked Tiffany's effort related to certifying the 2020 presidential result in Wisconsin5.
Tiffany, who represents a northern Wisconsin U.S. House district, did not face serious Republican primary opposition, CBS News said1. The Examiner said Republican-aligned ads accused Crowley of tax increases, tied him to Milwaukee, and sent mixed messages on crime3.
In a victory speech, Crowley said, "Thank you for believing in me as much as I believe in you"2. Tiffany, conceding what FOX 9 called a bitter and tough defeat, said, "We'll see what the next chapter in life brings"2. The Examiner quoted him saying, "While we have our differences, we both love this great state"3.
The Examiner said the Associated Press had not called the race at 9:57 p.m. Central time, when Crowley led 53.9% to 46.1% with 72% of the vote counted, even after Tiffany's concession around 9:45 p.m.3. FOX 9 said it used AP election results among other sources2. Certified statewide totals were not in the accounts reviewed.
Sources
- CBS NewsDemocrat David Crowley wins Wisconsin governor's race, defeating Trump ally Tom Tiffany
- FOX 9Wisconsin governor election: Democrat David Crowley wins
- Wisconsin ExaminerCrowley wins election, becoming Wisconsin’s first Black governor
- TMJ4Democrat David Crowley defeats Trump loyalist to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor
- WISN 12David Crowley is projected to make history as the first Black governor of Wisconsin
How it’s being reported
6 sourcesFirst reported by 
TMJ4
Show all
Democrat David Crowley wins Wisconsin governor's race, defeating Trump ally Tom Tiffany
Crowley's primary drop-out and return, and his campaign tying Tiffany to President Trump
CBS News projected Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, defeated Tiffany in an open-seat race after Gov. Tony Evers was barred by term limits.
Leaves out A concession time or partial vote totals
Wisconsin governor election: Democrat David Crowley wins
Concession and victory remarks and Crowley's biography
Uses Associated Press election results plus FOX 9 reporting; Tiffany conceded a 'bitter' and 'tough' defeat and Crowley delivered a victory speech.
Leaves out Primary vote totals and term-limit detail on Evers
Crowley wins election, becoming Wisconsin’s first Black governor
Partial returns, concession timing, primary chaos and general-election attack ads
while AP had not yet called the race at 9:57 p.— Wisconsin Examiner
The Examiner reported Tiffany conceded around 9:45 p.m. while AP had not yet called the race at 9:57 p.m. with Crowley leading 53.9% to 46.1% with 72% counted.
Leaves out A CBS-style network projection independent of AP
TMJ4FirstDemocrat David Crowley defeats Trump loyalist to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor
Crowley's local offices, 2024 reelection and civic affiliations
TMJ4 reported Crowley beat Tiffany after Tiffany conceded and reviewed Crowley's path from the Assembly to Milwaukee County executive.
Leaves out Vote shares and debate details
David Crowley is projected to make history as the first Black governor of Wisconsin
Party control of the office, Crowley age and policy positions including Act 10
WISN said Crowley won, Tiffany conceded before 10 p.m., and Democrats would hold the office more than eight years in a row for the first time.
Leaves out Partial percentage totals
Democrat David Crowley will be Wisconsin's first Black governor
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Where they agree
- Crowley defeated Tiffany and Tiffany conceded Tuesday night.
- Crowley would be Wisconsin's first Black governor.
- The Democratic primary was close after Crowley left and re-entered the race.
Where they differ
When Crowley became Milwaukee County's first Black executive
Whether a wire service had called the race when Tiffany conceded