David Crowley (Wisconsin politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Crowley
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Crowley in 2023
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| 7th Executive of Milwaukee County | |
| Assumed office May 4, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Chris Abele |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 17th district |
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| In office January 3, 2017 – June 18, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | La Tonya Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Supreme Moore Omokunde |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 14, 1986 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ericka |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (BS) |
David C. Crowley (born May 14, 1986) is an American politician. He is currently the county executive for Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He started this job in May 2020. David Crowley is the first African American to hold this important position. He is also the youngest person to become county executive, taking office when he was 33 years old. Before this, he served for three years in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He represented the west side of Milwaukee from January 2017 to June 2020.
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David Crowley's Early Life and School
David Crowley was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When he was ten years old, his family faced difficult times and lost their home. His parents later divorced. He had to move from two more homes before he finished high school.
During these years, David found mentors in Reggie and Sharlen Moore. They ran a community group called Urban Underground. Through this group, David became very interested in how policing and local government work. He graduated from Bay View High School. He then went to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee from 2008 to 2012. He left college for a while to work in politics. However, he later went back and earned his bachelor's degree in Community Engagement and Education in 2024.
David Crowley's Journey in Politics
While he was in college, David Crowley started working in politics. He was a campaign organizer for U.S. Senator Russ Feingold in 2010. After that election, he became a helper for Milwaukee County supervisor Nikiya Harris Dodd. When Harris Dodd was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 2012, David paused his studies. He became her policy director at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.
First Steps in Elections
David Crowley first tried to get elected in 2016. He ran for the Milwaukee City Council. He did not win that election. However, soon after, Senator Nikiya Harris Dodd decided not to run for re-election. This opened up a spot in the 17th Assembly district. David Crowley decided to run for this seat. He won the Democratic primary election with 56% of the votes. He had no opponents in the main election. He officially started his role on January 3, 2017. He was re-elected to the Assembly in 2018.
Becoming County Executive
In November 2019, the current Milwaukee County executive, Chris Abele, announced he would not run again. David Crowley then decided to run for this important job. In the first election round in February, David came in second place. He was just behind state senator Chris Larson.
Outgoing executive Chris Abele supported David Crowley. Abele had been challenged by Larson in a past election. Abele spent a lot of money to help Crowley's campaign in 2020. The main election in April was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin. Many people voted by mail. When the votes were counted on April 13, David Crowley won by a small margin against Senator Larson.
David Crowley became county executive on May 4, 2020. His swearing-in ceremony happened in his front yard. This was because of the "shelter-in-place" rules during the pandemic. He left his Assembly seat on June 18, 2020. This was required by a Wisconsin law. The law says a person cannot be both a state lawmaker and a county executive at the same time.
In January 2021, the Milwaukee Business Journal recognized David Crowley. They named him one of their "40 under 40" leaders. He was easily re-elected as county executive in 2024.
Future Political Plans
In 2024 and 2025, people in Wisconsin politics wondered if Governor Tony Evers would run for a third term. David Crowley was seen as a possible candidate to become governor if Evers did not run. On July 24, 2025, Governor Evers announced he would not run for re-election in 2026. Soon after this, David Crowley announced he was thinking about running for governor.
David Crowley's Family Life
David Crowley's parents have overcome their past challenges. They are still an important part of his life. He married his wife, Ericka, in 2016. They have two daughters together. Ericka also has a daughter from a previous relationship.
David Crowley is involved in several community groups. He is the vice chair of the Milwaukee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He is also a member of the Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals. Additionally, he is a member of the Milwaukee NAACP.
