Republican Tom Tiffany conceded the Wisconsin governor’s race to Democrat David Crowley, thanking his family and supporters in an emotional speech at his campaign party in Wausau Tuesday night.
“I want to say thank you, Wisconsin. Thank you very much,” he said. “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.”
Decision Desk HQ was the first to project Crowley’s victory shortly after 9:00 Central Tuesday night. Unofficial results showed him leading 54%-46% with about 71% of statewide precincts reporting.
Crowley, 40, will become Wisconsin’s first black governor after winning a narrow, comeback victory over socialist State Rep. Francesca Hong in August. Shortly before that primary, Crowley dropped out of the race and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez before a campaign finance scandal forced Rodriguez from the race. The following day, Crowley re-entered the race and won the primary just days later by fewer than 4,000 votes statewide.
