Crowley Defeats Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic Primary for Governor

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has won the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin, ousting socialist candidate Francesca Hong.

However, it’s important to note that Crowley is not viewed as a moderate. Since he took office, he has actively promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies targeting issues like race in various areas, from health care to public parks.

His administration has aimed at “applying a racial equity perspective to all county decisions.” In January, he and other Wisconsin Assembly Democrats opposed a proposed constitutional amendment that sought to eliminate race-based discrimination and preferential treatment by government entities. But the push for DEI began long before that amendment.

After he took office in 2020, Crowley expanded Milwaukee County’s DEI initiatives, increasing the number of racial equity ambassadors established by his predecessor. In his first few months as county executive, he significantly boosted the program aimed at promoting racial equity.

The Office of African American Affairs reported that Crowley backed initiatives to provide racial equity training to over 3,000 employees. This training was intended to foster conversations around issues such as racism and implicit bias.

Additionally, Crowley dispatched ambassadors to evaluate public parks for potential racial biases. Each park underwent an assessment resulting in ratings that influenced funding allocations for maintenance.

Crowley has frequently cited structural racial issues in Milwaukee, attributing various local challenges to white leadership. He noted that historically, those in power are often white, male, and heterosexual, suggesting that their perspectives have overlooked the needs of diverse populations.

His administration pushed for an ordinance to identify and rectify policies that inadvertently favor white individuals and create barriers for communities of color. This ordinance isn’t just a declaration but binds future county executives, making it an ongoing priority for the local government.

Moreover, under Crowley’s leadership, hiring and promotion policies have incorporated diversity as a key consideration. The county has actively sought to attract applicants from diverse backgrounds, focusing on outreach to various organizations to announce job openings.

The funding for these outreach initiatives was significant. For example, Crowley established advertising campaigns targeting non-white job seekers, further demonstrating a commitment to DEI objectives.

Interestingly, even amid economic challenges, Crowley highlighted the importance of investing in marginalized communities as essential for long-term growth. His administration allocated substantial grants to various businesses, prioritizing those owned by underrepresented communities.

In a reflection on his tenure, Crowley asserted that Milwaukee County has made strides toward being the healthiest community in Wisconsin, attributing this progress to the focus on racial equity, affordable housing, and mental health services.

Despite requests for comment, neither Crowley nor the Milwaukee Equity Bureau has responded further on these initiatives.