Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany on Tuesday to become Wisconsin’s next governor in a wave election that saw Democrats win elections across the state.
“Thank you, Wisconsin!” Crowley said during his victory speech Tuesday night. “Thank you for believing in me. Serving as your governor will be the honor of a lifetime.”
Crowley, the 40-year-old Milwaukee County executive, succeeds retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and will take office in January alongside running mate Sarah Godlewski as lieutenant governor.
Tiffany conceded shortly before 10 p.m. at his election night gathering at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Wausau area.
“Tonight was not the outcome we had hoped for, but I am incredibly grateful for the support, encouragement, and trust so many Wisconsinites placed in our campaign,” he said in an emotional concession speech.
The win caps a turbulent path for Crowley. He suspended his Democratic primary campaign in early July amid lagging polls, then re-entered days later after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exited the race. With a late endorsement from Evers, he narrowly defeated socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong in the August primary by fewer than 4,000 votes.
