Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, recently lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin. However, some of her progressive policies continue to spark discussions. David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, emerged as the winning candidate after Hong, positioned as a more moderate option.
Crowley has implemented racial-equity budgeting, increased the county’s equity bureaucracy, and called on the Wisconsin attorney general to take legal action against fossil fuel companies regarding environmental damage. Despite being viewed as moderate, he shares policy positions with Hong on issues like taxing millionaires and achieving carbon-neutrality.
“Milwaukee County is known for its beer and brats, but unfortunately, it’s also known for David Crowley’s budgetary decisions. Under his leadership, residents experienced their largest property tax increase in 15 years, faced higher sales taxes, and saw their tax dollars directed to Crowley’s ‘Net Zero’ initiative,” said Mark Bednar, a Republican consultant from Wisconsin, in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Voters should consider if they want Crowley’s management spread across the state.”
Crowley, campaigning for practicality and bipartisan solutions, is characterized by Wisconsin Public Radio as a mainstream Democratic choice. Although defeated, CBS News described him as a moderate Democrat. Yet, he acknowledged overlapping policies with Hong during the primary campaign.
Both candidates supported raising taxes on millionaires, a $20 minimum wage, expanded union rights, and universal childcare. Their climate agendas align, with both aiming for Wisconsin and Milwaukee County to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050.
Crowley’s record, particularly on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), complicates his moderate portrayal. He integrated a Racial Equity Budget Tool (REBT) into the budgeting process, which aims to assess how budget decisions impact communities of color. In his 2022 budget address, he emphasized that all Milwaukee County departments employed the tool to address racial equity.
The transformation of Milwaukee County’s Office on African American Affairs into a more extensive “Office of Equity” was part of Crowley’s tenure. This expansion broadened its scope to include various communities and increase accountability for racial-equity goals.
Climate policy has been a significant aspect of Crowley’s leadership. In April 2025, he signed the Climate Action 2050 plan for Milwaukee County, aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Crowley also supported legislation urging Wisconsin’s attorney general to sue fossil-fuel companies for environmental damage and reaffirmed commitments to the Paris Agreement.
Despite these notable stances, Crowley’s campaign and Milwaukee County’s press office did not respond to requests from Fox News Digital to comment further on his political record.
Alec Schemmel, a Politics Reporter for Fox News Digital, highlights these ongoing policy discussions.