Former President Barack Obama endorsed Democrat Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for governor of Wisconsin on Oct. 8.
Crowley faces Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was endorsed early in the Republican primary by President Donald Trump. Tiffany has rarely diverged from his support for Trump, with some ratings putting his voting support at 100%.
“I’m honored to have the endorsement of President Obama. He is someone who defines what leadership is — fighting for everything possible to make life better for everyday Americans,” Crowley said in a press release.
The endorsement comes as Crowley plans to campaign Friday across southeastern Wisconsin with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
The events include a meet and greet with Racine and Kenosha voters, a “Black Men Vote” event in Beloit and a barbershop talk in Milwaukee.
Both Moore and Obama are the first Black elected officials in their respective offices. If elected, Crowley would be the first black governor in Wisconsin, and the fourth black governor in U.S. history.
“David’s life story is about overcoming adversity and his life’s work is about bringing people together. Like me, David started out as a community organizer,” Obama said in his endorsement announcement. “As governor, David will fight to make Wisconsin more affordable so that you’re paying less at the pump, at the doctor’s office and less at the end of the month.”
Crowley has also been endorsed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and current Gov. Tony Evers.
Crowley visited California on Sept. 28 to fundraise with former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sean Penn. Tiffany criticized Crowley in a press release for flying to California “to hobnob with Hollywood elites.”
The race remains tight in a historically purple state, with Crowley at 49% and Tiffany at 46% among likely voters, according to a Marquette University Law School poll.
The general election is Nov. 3.
Senior staff writer
