Governor Tony Evers Endorses David Crowley for Wisconsin Governor

Governor Tony Evers endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for governor on July 18, 2026. The endorsement comes as Crowley re-entered the Democratic primary after suspending his campaign in early July to support Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez. Rodriguez abruptly exited the race on July 17 following a campaign finance scandal involving missing funds.

Crowley officially relaunched his campaign at a press conference in Milwaukee, stating that victory requires building a broad coalition. Democratic Party officials reportedly support his return to block primary frontrunner Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialist whom party leaders believe cannot defeat Republican Representative Tom Tiffany in the general election.

The move drew criticism from other Democratic candidates. Joel Brennan questioned Crowley's decisiveness, while Mandela Barnes' campaign described the re-entry as a "Hail Mary" that could act as a spoiler. The Republican Governors Association mocked the Democratic primary process as a "clown car crash into a parked semitruck.

Crowley now competes against Brennan, Hong, Barnes, and Kelda Roys in the August 11 primary. The winner will face Tom Tiffany in the general election.