David Crowley Won the Primary — Now Milwaukee Has a Chance to Show Wisconsin What It Can Become

I’m from Milwaukee.

So when I talk about Milwaukee, I’m not talking about something I read in a newspaper or something I heard somebody say on TV. I’m talking about a place I know. A place I grew up around. A place I’ve watched change. And honestly, a place I’ve watched struggle.

So yes, I’m extremely happy that David Crowley won the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin and is now headed into the November general election against Republican Tom Tiffany.

And I’m happy for more than just the fact that he won an election.

I’m happy because I believe Wisconsin is at a crossroads.

For years, I’ve watched Milwaukee struggle with opportunity, economic development, housing, education, businesses closing, neighborhoods deteriorating and Black communities being left wondering when somebody is finally going to come in and really fight for them.

And before somebody gets offended, let me say this clearly:

This isn’t about hating white people. This isn’t about saying every white politician is racist. This isn’t about saying Black politicians automatically make better politicians.

I’m talking about representation.

I’m talking about perspective.

I’m talking about what happens when the people sitting at the table actually understand the communities they’re making decisions about.

Milwaukee has had a Black mayor, and I was proud when that happened. But I’ve also been critical because I don’t believe being a Black mayor automatically means you’re doing enough for Black people.

You still have to produce.

You still have to fight.

You still have to make things happen.

And at the same time, we have to be honest about how government works. A mayor doesn’t have unlimited power. There are state laws. There are state legislators. There are state agencies. There is a governor. There are budgets, regulations and political relationships that can either make things easier or make things harder.

That’s why I believe Milwaukee needs more than just a Black mayor.

Milwaukee needs a Black governor who understands Milwaukee.

That’s one of the biggest reasons David Crowley’s campaign caught my attention.

David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson come from a similar political and community environment. They understand Milwaukee. They understand what it means to grow up around the problems that Milwaukee families deal with.

And I believe when you have a mayor and a governor who are actually on the same page about where a city needs to go, you can get a hell of a lot more done.

Look at Atlanta.

I’m in Atlanta now, and I see things happening here that make me ask:

Why can’t Milwaukee do this?

Atlanta has invested in community development. There are programs designed to help homeowners. There are efforts to encourage businesses. There are incentives for development. There are programs dealing with education, housing and assistance for different populations.

And no, I’m not saying Atlanta is perfect.

It isn’t.

But there is an energy here.

There is an understanding that a city can’t survive by sitting still.

And that’s what I want to see in Milwaukee.

Because when I go back to Milwaukee and see businesses gone, storefronts empty, houses sitting vacant and entire blocks looking like nobody gives a damn anymore, that bothers me.

It bothers me because Milwaukee has potential.

Milwaukee should not be becoming another Gary, Indiana.

That’s not an insult to Gary. That’s me saying Milwaukee is capable of so much more.

Wisconsin is capable of so much more.

We could have a state that attracts more tourism. More businesses. More entrepreneurs. More entertainment. More investment. More people from around the country and around the world.

But you can’t do that if you’re afraid to change.

And one of the things that really caught my attention about David Crowley was his position on recreational marijuana.

Whether somebody personally likes marijuana or not isn’t the point.

The point is economics.

Wisconsinites are already spending money on marijuana in neighboring states like Michigan and Illinois. That means money is leaving Wisconsin.

Why?

Why wouldn’t Wisconsin want to create a regulated industry, bring those dollars back into the state, create jobs, collect tax revenue and regulate something that people are already buying?

That’s the type of thinking I want to hear from politicians.

Don’t just tell me what Wisconsin has always been. Tell me what Wisconsin can become.

And that’s where I think the difference in leadership matters.

I believe Milwaukee needs politicians who are willing to look at housing, education, business development, marijuana legalization, social programs and economic opportunity and say:

“We can do better than this.”

And here’s where I’m going to get real controversial.

I personally believe Wisconsin needs a Black Democratic governor and a Black Democratic mayor working together if we’re serious about moving Milwaukee and the Black community forward.

That’s my opinion.

I’m not saying every Black politician is automatically good.

I’m not saying every white politician is automatically bad.

And I’m definitely not saying every white person doesn’t care about Black communities.

That’s not what I’m saying.

What I’m saying is that representation matters.

A person who has experienced certain things may see certain problems differently.

A person who grew up in or around the same communities may understand the urgency differently.

And I believe there is something powerful about having Black leadership in positions where decisions are being made about Black communities.

Because let’s be honest: for generations, Black communities have been asked to trust politicians who didn’t necessarily understand their experiences.

We’ve heard the promises.

We’ve heard the speeches.

We’ve watched elections come and go.

And meanwhile, people are still asking:

Where are the jobs?

Where are the businesses?

Where are the affordable homes?

Where is the investment?

Where are the opportunities for our kids?

That’s why I’m excited about this election.

Not because David Crowley is Black.

Not because Tom Tiffany is white.

But because I believe Wisconsin needs a different direction.

And I believe David Crowley has an opportunity to show people something that I think a lot of people still aren’t convinced is possible:

That a Black man can lead an entire state and represent everybody.

Black people.

White people.

Latino people.

Asian people.

Rural communities.

Urban communities.

Rich people.

Poor people.

Everybody.

Because that’s what leadership is supposed to be.

And maybe that’s the biggest point of all.

A Black governor doesn’t have to mean a governor who only serves Black people.

A Black governor can serve everybody while still understanding why Black communities have been left behind.

That’s the kind of leadership I want to see.

That’s the kind of leadership I believe Milwaukee needs.

And that’s why I’m celebrating David Crowley’s primary victory.

Now the real work begins.

November isn’t about celebrating anymore.

November is about showing up.

Because if Wisconsin really wants to know what David Crowley can do, we’re about to find out.

**Milwaukee has been waiting long enough.

Wisconsin has been waiting long enough.

Now let’s see what happens when the people who understand the struggle finally get a bigger seat at the table.**