Who is David Crowley?
David Crowley, 40, is Wisconsin's governor-elect, the first Black person ever elected to lead the state in its 178-year history, having defeated Republican congressman Tom Tiffany in Tuesday's midterms.
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Quick facts
- Born: May 14, 1986 (age 40), Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Known for: Wisconsin's first Black Republican governor in the state's 178-year history; former Milwaukee County executive
- Education: Bachelor's degree in community engagement and education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, earned in December 2024
- Party: Democrat
- Running mate: Sarah Godlewski, also elected Wisconsin's lieutenant governor
His story
David Crowley rose from a childhood in one of the nation's poorest neighborhoods to become the first Black person to lead Wisconsin. He grew up in Milwaukee's 53206 neighborhood and attended Bay View High School.
He became a campaign organizer for US Senator Russ Feingold's reelection campaign, then worked as a legislative aide and policy director for state legislator Nikiya Harris Dodd, before being elected to the State Assembly in 2016 and Milwaukee County executive in 2020.
He became the youngest and first Black county executive ever elected in Milwaukee County history. As county executive, Crowley oversaw an annual county budget of about $1.4 billion.
What he's done in office
As county executive, he led passage of Wisconsin Act 12, a landmark bipartisan overhaul of state-local revenue sharing, balanced budgets, reformed the county pension system, and delivered the largest property tax cut in county history. He also focused on housing, mental health services, public transit and racial equity.
Milwaukee County voters re-elected him with 85% of the vote.
The path to governor
Crowley's victory seemed impossible just this summer, when he briefly dropped out of the race for governor, only to drop back in. He won the Democratic nomination over Francesca Hong by a narrow margin of 0.48% in an upset, after suspending his campaign in July and re-entering the race 24 days before the primary.
Democrats also won their long-sought trifecta, taking control of the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, with Crowley defeating Republican congressman Tom Tiffany.
In his own words
"Wisconsin isn't a red state or a blue state. In a state this close, nobody gets to govern alone."
"Serving as your governor will be the honor of a lifetime."
"I'm a community organizer by heart who has just happened to find himself in the halls of the state Capitol building, at the head of Milwaukee County government."
What to expect as governor
Crowley wants to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2030, expand subsidized child care, and offer a public BadgerCare option. He ran in support of expanding Medicaid coverage and increasing funding for public schools and child care.
Follow-ups
Who is Byron Donalds?Byron Donalds, 48, is Florida's governor-elect, the first Black person and the first Black Republican ever elected governor in state history, defeating Democrat David Jolly in one of the most competitive Florida governor's races in nearly a decade.
Byron Donalds, 48, is Florida's governor-elect, the first Black person and the first Black Republican ever elected governor in state history, defeating Democrat David Jolly in one of the most competitive Florida governor's races in nearly a decade.
Quick facts
- Born: October 28, 1978 (age 48), Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York
- Known for: Florida's first Black governor-elect; first Black Republican elected governor in US history; former US Representative for Florida's 19th Congressional District
- Heritage: Jamaican and Panamanian
- Education: Attended Florida A&M University, then earned a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from Florida State University in 2002
- Party: Republican
- Family: Married to Erika Donalds, an education entrepreneur and conservative policy advocate; three sons, Damon, Darin, and Mason
- Home: Naples, Florida
- Running mate: Bryan Avila, former Florida state senator
His story
Byron Donalds was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the product of a single-parent household. Throughout his life, his mother made every sacrifice possible to give him the best opportunity to live the American Dream. He moved to Florida in 1996 to attend Florida A&M University. He later graduated from Florida State University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing. After completing his education, Donalds built a career in the financial sector, working in banking, finance and insurance before entering politics.
In office
He was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016, where he served for four years. In 2020, he was elected to serve Florida's 19th Congressional District in the US Congress. While serving in the Florida House, Donalds made his mark as a champion for school choice and parental rights in education, leading the effort to enact Hope Scholarships and passing a first-in-the-nation bill allowing parents and community members to review instructional materials in schools. He took office in Congress in January 2021 and subsequently became a prominent conservative voice in Washington, with his national profile growing through his support for President Donald Trump and frequent television appearances defending Republican positions.
What he won and how
Donalds won the 2026 Florida governor's race with 50.0% of the vote, defeating David Jolly by 1.3 points. The margin was tighter than most polls predicted. Donalds raised almost $150 million in his bid for the governorship, compared to Jolly's $22 million.
Throughout the campaign, Donalds emphasized affordability, property taxes, homeowners insurance and education. He also sought to broaden Republican support among Black voters, making campaign stops across South Florida and setting a goal of winning more than 20% of the state's Black vote.
In his victory speech, Donalds told the crowd:
"I want you to hear from Florida that we are still red. Mr. President, I also want to tell you thank you for your support and thank you for being in my corner."
What he has done and what he plans to do
For education, Donalds supports expanding school choice with the private school voucher program and greater parental supervision over learning materials. He wants to maintain Florida's state income tax at zero. For law and order, Donalds supports a crackdown on illegal immigration. Additionally, Donalds said he wants to target fentanyl by creating harsher punishments for the drug cartels that bring it into Florida.
Donalds will succeed outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis as Florida's governor in January 2027.
What policies is Byron Donalds expected to push as governor of Florida?Byron Donalds, Florida's governor-elect and the first Black Republican person ever elected to lead the state, is expected to push a conservative agenda built around three declared pillars: affordability, education and law and order.
Byron Donalds, Florida's governor-elect and the first Black Republican person ever elected to lead the state, is expected to push a conservative agenda built around three declared pillars: affordability, education and law and order.
Affordability: insurance, taxes and housing
Donalds says he wants to tackle Florida's high property insurance rates by focusing on tort reform and "supercharging" home hardening programs for properties built before 1992. He plans to reduce insurance costs by cracking down on lawsuit abuse and protecting reforms that prevent false claims, which he says drive up premiums for everyone.
On taxes, he said he would revisit property tax cuts, and that if Amendment 3 did not pass, he would bring the issue back through Florida's Tax and Budget Reform Commission, with the goal of eliminating homestead property taxes in the state. He has also promised no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security.
On housing, Donalds focuses on making homes cheaper to build by speeding up permitting, reducing development timelines and streamlining government approvals.
Education: school choice and literacy
Donalds has touted universal vouchers and expressed an interest in making Florida "the model state for school choice" by allowing parents to choose among private educational providers competing in the marketplace. He also advocates for greater parental supervision over learning materials.
He has set a goal of math, reading and writing mastery for every Florida graduate. He opposes diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public universities while emphasizing merit-based admissions alongside expanded workforce training and apprenticeship alternatives.
Law and order: immigration and fentanyl
On law and order, Donalds supports a crackdown on illegal immigration, including cutting off state funds, subsidies and free perks that he says encourage illegal immigration into Florida. He also says he wants to target fentanyl by creating harsher punishments for the drug cartels that bring it into the state.
Economy, tech and infrastructure
Donalds wants to make Florida a major technology and financial hub by investing in and supporting commercial space growth and what he calls smart growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure. On energy, he favors an "all-of-the-above" strategy including natural gas and small modular nuclear reactors to ensure reliable power generation.
On fiscal responsibility, Donalds says his administration will continue a government efficiency initiative, declaring "We are going to DOGE every agency" and that "there will be no sacred cows." He also promises every state contract, budget and fee will be posted publicly.
Environment
Donalds has vowed to finish Everglades restoration and apply the model to other ailing ecosystems in the state, and plans to establish a Florida Coastal Corridor, modeled after the Florida Wildlife Corridor, to protect the state's coastlines and strengthen them against damaging storms.
Healthcare
Donalds opposes Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act and has called for reforms to Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities. His campaign platform includes a proposal called "Your Doctor Your Price," which would require every licensed Florida provider to post cash prices for the top 50 common services.
The books
After last night's midterms, at least 4 Black governors will serve simultaneously in the US for the first time in the country's history, with 3 newly elected and 1 reelected.
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