Who is David Crowley? | Biography
David Crowley is an American Democratic politician and Milwaukee County Executive from Wisconsin. Born on May 14, 1986, in Milwaukee, he grew up in the city’s 53206 neighborhood. His early life shaped his focus on economic opportunity, public safety, housing, and community development. Crowley attended Bay View High School before studying at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He later returned to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in Community Engagement and Education in 2024.
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Crowley began his career through community organizing and nonprofit work in Milwaukee. He later worked as a legislative assistant and policy adviser before entering electoral politics. In 2016, voters elected him to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he represented Milwaukee’s 17th Assembly District. He served in the Assembly until 2020, when he successfully ran for Milwaukee County Executive.
In May 2020, Crowley became Milwaukee County’s youngest county executive and its first Black leader in that position. He won reelection in April 2024 with 85% of the vote. As county executive, he has prioritized racial equity, affordable housing, public health, transportation, economic development, and public safety. He also helped implement the county’s first strategic plan in two decades.
Crowley entered the 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race in September 2025. He briefly suspended his campaign in July 2026 before reentering after Sara Rodriguez ended her campaign. Governor Tony Evers later endorsed Crowley. As of August 12, the Democratic primary remained extremely close between Crowley and Francesca Hong, with absentee ballots delaying a final result.
David Crowley lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Ericka, and their three daughters. He also chairs the National Association of Counties’ Large Urban Counties Caucus.
David Crowley Age | How Old is David Crowley?
David Crowley is 40 years old as of August 2026. He was born on May 14, 1986, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Therefore, David Crowley celebrated his 40th birthday on May 14, 2026. He serves as the Milwaukee County Executive and won reelection in 2024 with 85% of the vote. Additionally, Crowley became the county’s youngest executive and first Black leader in 2020. He continues leading Milwaukee County while focusing on economic development, health, and public safety.
David Crowley Height | How Tall is David Crowley?
David Crowley stands 6 feet tall (6’0″). His height equals approximately 183 centimeters, giving him a tall presence at public appearances and political events. Crowley serves as the Milwaukee County Executive and has built a prominent career in Wisconsin politics. Moreover, he entered the 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race as a Democratic candidate. His political career includes service in the Wisconsin State Assembly before becoming Milwaukee County Executive in 2020. Today, Crowley remains an influential figure in Wisconsin politics and continues his campaign for governor.
David Crowley Political Party | Is David Crowley a Democrat?
David Crowley is a member of the Democratic Party. He has built his political career as a Democratic politician in Wisconsin. Crowley represented Milwaukee’s 17th Assembly District as a Democrat from 2017 to 2020. He then became Milwaukee County Executive in 2020. Additionally, Crowley ran in the 2026 Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. His campaign presented him as a moderate Democrat focused on practical government and economic opportunity. As of August 12, 2026, Crowley has emerged as the Democratic nominee for governor, according to current election reporting.
David Crowley Education
David Crowley attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after graduating from Bay View High School. He initially left college before completing his degree to pursue political work. However, Crowley later returned to UW-Milwaukee while serving as Milwaukee County Executive. In December 2024, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Engagement and Education from the UWM School of Education. He balanced his studies with public service and family responsibilities. His educational journey reflects his commitment to community leadership and lifelong learning.
David Crowley Ethnicity
David Crowley is African American. Milwaukee County identifies him as the first Black leader elected as Milwaukee County Executive. He made history after winning the county executive election in 2020. Crowley grew up in Milwaukee and has deep roots in the city’s communities. Furthermore, his background has influenced his commitment to racial equity and economic opportunity. He continues to highlight these issues throughout his political career. In 2026, Crowley became the first Black man nominated by a major party for Wisconsin governor.
David Crowley Wife | Is David Crowley married?
David Crowley is married to Ericka Crowley, and the couple lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with their three daughters. Milwaukee County identifies their daughters as Alyssa, Ava, and Autumn. Crowley and Ericka married in 2016, and they have built their family while he pursued a career in Wisconsin politics. Moreover, Ericka has remained part of Crowley’s family life throughout his public service career. Crowley became Milwaukee County Executive in 2020 and continues serving in that position while pursuing Wisconsin’s governorship.
David Crowley Children
David Crowley has three daughters: Alyssa, Ava, and Autumn. He shares his children with his wife, Ericka Crowley, and the family lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Crowley often speaks about fatherhood and his daughters when discussing his personal journey. Moreover, he returned to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee partly to set an example for his children. In 2024, he said completing his degree showed his daughters that they can pursue their goals despite challenges. His daughters remain an important part of his family life.
David Crowley Family | Parents and Siblings
David Crowley grew up in a working-class family in Milwaukee’s 53206 neighborhood. His mother, Valerie Crowley, played an important role in his upbringing and supported his public service career. Valerie died in July 2023, and Crowley publicly honored her strength, compassion, and guidance. Crowley has also spoken about experiencing homelessness and housing instability during his childhood. However, reliable public records provide limited verified information about his father or siblings. Therefore, details about David Crowley’s siblings remain largely private.
David Crowley for Governor | 2026 Wisconsin Primary Results, Campaign & Election
David Crowley is the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor after winning the August 11, 2026 primary. He defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong in a remarkably close Democratic contest. Crowley entered the primary as Milwaukee County Executive and previously launched his gubernatorial campaign in September 2025. However, he briefly suspended his campaign in July 2026. He returned days later after Sara Rodriguez ended her campaign. Governor Tony Evers then endorsed Crowley, giving his campaign a major boost.
The Wisconsin Democratic primary became a two-candidate race between Crowley and Francesca Hong. Hong entered Election Day with strong polling support and progressive momentum. Nevertheless, Crowley built a narrow advantage as election results arrived. By early August 12, major outlets reported that Crowley had defeated Hong. The race remained extremely close, with Milwaukee County absentee ballots playing an important role. Crowley’s victory makes him the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor.
Crowley will now face Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in the November 3, 2026 general election. Tiffany won the Republican primary with only token opposition. Meanwhile, Crowley will campaign on his record as Milwaukee County Executive and his vision for Wisconsin. He also seeks to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor. The November election will determine who succeeds Tony Evers, who decided against seeking a third term.
David Crowley Policies and Political Views
David Crowley is a moderate Democrat who emphasizes affordability, economic opportunity, and practical government. His 2026 campaign focuses on improving life for working Wisconsin families. He supports creating jobs, strengthening communities, and expanding economic opportunity across Wisconsin.
On healthcare, Crowley supports expanding access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion rights. He also highlights healthcare affordability among his campaign priorities. Furthermore, his policy agenda includes education and school funding, alongside economic development.
Crowley also emphasizes public safety, affordable housing, and stronger local communities. His approach differs from progressive rival Francesca Hong, particularly on the role of government and political strategy. Overall, Crowley presents himself as a pragmatic Democrat focused on achievable policies and broad voter appeal.
David Crowley Endorsements
David Crowley secured several major endorsements during his 2026 Wisconsin governor campaign. Most notably, Governor Tony Evers endorsed Crowley after Crowley reentered the Democratic primary in July 2026. Evers’ endorsement gave Crowley important backing from Wisconsin’s Democratic establishment.
Crowley also received endorsements from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council, and the IBEW Wisconsin State Conference. Additionally, the National Democratic County Officials endorsed his campaign.
Moreover, Crowley gained support from several local and Democratic leaders throughout Wisconsin. His endorsement list strengthened his campaign among labor, municipal, and Democratic organizations. Crowley ultimately won the Democratic nomination after a close primary against Francesca Hong.
David Crowley Previous Offices
David Crowley has held two major elected offices in Wisconsin before his 2026 gubernatorial campaign. He first served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Milwaukee’s 17th Assembly District. Crowley won that seat in 2016 and served until 2020. He then ran for Milwaukee County Executive and won the 2020 election.
David Crowley’s Previous Offices
- Wisconsin State Assembly: Representative for the 17th Assembly District, 2017–2020.
- Milwaukee County Executive: First elected in 2020 and reelected in 2024 with 85% of the vote.
Crowley remains Milwaukee County Executive during his 2026 campaign for Wisconsin governor. He became the county’s youngest executive and first Black elected leader in 2020.
David Crowley Salary | How Much Does Milwaukee County Executive Earn?
David Crowley earns $140,088.61 annually as Milwaukee County Executive. Milwaukee County set this salary for the term beginning after the 2024 spring general election. The county ordinance states that the salary remains $140,088.61 unless the County Board establishes another amount. Therefore, this figure provides the clearest verified salary for Crowley in 2026. Crowley has served as Milwaukee County Executive since 2020 and won reelection in 2024. He continues holding the office while pursuing the Wisconsin governor’s position. Crowley won the Democratic nomination on August 11, 2026, and will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November.
David Crowley Net Worth 2026
David Crowley’s exact net worth has not been publicly established as of August 2026. Wisconsin financial disclosures reveal economic interests, but they do not calculate a candidate’s total wealth. Therefore, no credible source currently supports a specific David Crowley net worth figure. Crowley earns his primary public salary as Milwaukee County Executive. His campaign also reported significant fundraising during the 2026 governor’s race, but campaign funds do not count toward personal wealth.
Biography Summary
| David Crowley Biography | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Crowley |
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1986 |
| Age | 40 years old (2026) |
| Birthplace | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
| Degree | Bachelor of Science in Community Engagement and Education |
| Wife | Ericka Crowley |
| Children | Three daughters: Alyssa, Ava, and Autumn |
| Mother | Valerie Crowley |
| Previous Office | Wisconsin State Assembly, 2017–2020 |
| Current Office | Milwaukee County Executive |
| First Elected County Executive | 2020 |
| Reelection | 2024, with 85% of the vote |
| 2026 Political Role | Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor |
| Annual Salary | $140,088.61 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly established |
| Key Issues | Economic opportunity, affordable housing, public safety, healthcare, education, and racial equity |




