Democrat David Crowley has defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany to win Wisconsin’s 2026 gubernatorial election, according to the Associated Press. Tiffany conceded the race after the election results showed Crowley securing the victory, allowing Democrats to retain control of the governor’s office for another four years.

Crowley, who has served as Milwaukee County executive since 2020, entered the election seeking to succeed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who decided against running for a third term. His victory makes him the first Black governor elected in Wisconsin history and extends Democratic control of the office beyond eight years.

Before becoming county executive, Crowley served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing a Milwaukee-area district. He was elected county executive in 2020 and became one of the state's most prominent Democratic local officials. He initially left the gubernatorial primary before returning to the race at Evers’ urging. Crowley ultimately defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary by a narrow margin.

During the general election campaign, Crowley emphasized healthcare access, public education, childcare and the cost of living. He supported expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for public schools and overturning Act 10, the 2011 law that significantly restricted collective bargaining rights for most public employees. He also called for a moratorium on new data-center construction, arguing that communities should have greater control over major development projects.

Tiffany, who represented Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House, campaigned on a conservative platform focused on lowering taxes, improving public safety, strengthening schools and protecting Wisconsin farmland. He also proposed freezing property taxes and reducing income taxes while criticizing Democratic policies on government spending and regulation.

President Donald Trump endorsed Tiffany, and the Republican congressman made his support for the president and their shared political priorities central to his campaign. Tiffany had supported Trump's efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election and sought to bring Republican control of the governor’s office back to Wisconsin for the first time in eight years.

The candidates also clashed over economic issues, crime, public services and the state's approach to large data-center developments. Crowley criticized Tiffany's support for Trump and the administration's policies, while Tiffany argued that Crowley's proposals would expand government spending and move Wisconsin in a more progressive direction.

The election attracted national attention because Wisconsin remains a closely contested battleground state. Republicans had hoped Tiffany could flip the governor’s office and give the party control of the state's executive branch alongside its legislative majorities. Crowley's victory prevents that outcome and keeps the governor's office in Democratic hands.

Crowley will succeed Evers when his new administration takes office in January 2027. His victory also places a new Democratic governor in office as Wisconsin prepares for the next presidential election, ensuring that the state will remain a central political battleground heading into 2028.