Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell has officially launched her campaign for Milwaukee County Executive, promising to build on Governor-elect David Crowley’s record despite mounting concerns over the county’s financial management, rising taxes, and controversial spending decisions.
Nicholson-Bovell, 38, announced her candidacy Monday, November 9, following Crowley’s victory over Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in last week’s gubernatorial election. The longtime Milwaukee County supervisor has served as County Board chairwoman since 2020, working closely with Crowley throughout his tenure.
“(Crowley) has left a great foundation for me to build upon,” Nicholson-Bovell said in a recent interview.
“I don’t believe in the impossible,” she added. “I want to make life easier, I want to make life more affordable.” Nicholson-Bovell also pledged to maintain county services, declaring, “I’m not going to cut services.”
Nicholson-Bovell was first elected to the Milwaukee County Board in 2016 and has served as Board Chair since 2020, the same year Crowley took office as County Executive.
Under their leadership, Milwaukee County has raised property taxes in nearly every year of Crowley’s tenure. In 2023, the pair instead celebrated the near-doubling of the county’s sales tax, from 0.5% to 0.9%, pushing Milwaukee County’s combined sales tax rate to the highest in Wisconsin.
Now, Nicholson-Bovell is seeking to lead a county facing mounting budget deficits, growing financial pressures, and renewed questions about fiscal oversight–much of which emerged during her time as County Board Chair.
Higher Taxes, Growing Deficits, and Financial Mismanagement
Perhaps the most visible example of Nicholson-Bovell’s partnership with Crowley came in 2023, when the two were photographed cutting a celebratory cake following the County Board’s approval of legislation nearly doubling Milwaukee County’s sales tax.
The increase, from 0.5% to 0.9%, was championed by Crowley and supported by Nicholson-Bovell, imposing a larger sales tax burden on Milwaukee County consumers.
Despite the additional revenue, Milwaukee County continues to face serious financial challenges.
County budget projections have warned of a roughly $169 million cumulative deficit over five years, including a projected $51 million shortfall in 2027. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee County Transit System has warned of significant service cuts as its own budget problems worsen.
The Crowley administration has also faced scrutiny over its handling of a controversial inmate communications program. As previously reported by The Heartland Post, Milwaukee County taxpayers spend more than $1 million annually providing free phone and video communications to inmates.
Meanwhile, inmates exploited the county’s tablet messaging system to harass victims and intimidate witnesses, including one defendant accused of making more than 2,400 calls to his alleged victim.Crowley eventually suspended tablet messaging at the county’s Community Reintegration Center in October.
But perhaps the most politically explosive controversy surrounding Crowley’s administration emerged just one day after his election as governor.
On November 4, Milwaukee County officials revealed a $4.56 million hole in Crowley’s proposed 2027 budget, stemming from an accounting error that overstated anticipated savings.
The problem wasn’t new.
County officials acknowledged discovering the discrepancy on October 21, nearly two weeks before Election Day, but waited until after Crowley’s victory to notify County Board supervisors. Crowley subsequently admitted that he knew about the error before the election, although his administration maintained that the timing of the disclosure was unrelated to politics.
The controversy has placed renewed scrutiny on the county’s fiscal management, including the oversight responsibilities of the County Board that Nicholson-Bovell has chaired throughout Crowley’s administration.
What Happens Next?
Crowley’s election as governor will trigger a special election to fill the remainder of his county executive term, which expires in April 2028.
Under Wisconsin law, Nicholson-Bovell will initially assume the duties of acting county executive following Crowley’s resignation. She will then have 30 days to appoint an interim replacement, subject to County Board approval.
Nicholson-Bovell has said she will not appoint herself, instead seeking the position directly from voters.The special election is expected to coincide with Wisconsin’s regularly scheduled spring elections in April 2027.
Who Else Could Run?
State Senator Chris Larson, who narrowly lost to Crowley in 2020, could emerge as Nicholson-Bovell’s most prominent competition.
Other possible candidates include Milwaukee Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy, former candidate for Governor Joel Brennan and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, among others.
Nicholson-Bovell has long been viewed as a potential successor to Crowley, particularly following his surprise victory in August’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. Her close ties to the governor-elect could provide valuable political connections, especially if Crowley offers his endorsement or support from his campaign network.
However, Nicholson-Bovell could also face competition from the Democratic Party’s more progressive wing. Following November’s sweeping Democratic victories, progressive activists and candidates may look to build on that momentum, including in urban strongholds like Milwaukee, where debates over the party’s direction and the growing influence of democratic socialists could shape the race.
