Barack Obama endorses David Crowley for Wisconsin governor

Former President Barack Obama is weighing in on the race for Wisconsin governor by endorsing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

“I’ve known a lot of leaders but I haven’t known many like David Crowley,” Obama said in a short video released Oct. 8 and provided to the Milwaukee Courier.

“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 and he happens to be a girl dad, too. David and his wife Ericka are raising three daughters in public schools.

“As the leader of Wisconsin’s largest county, he created jobs and balanced the budget. And 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.

“There is nobody better to lead Wisconsin forward, so vote David Crowley for governor.”

Obama taped two dozen ads last week for Democratic candidates for governor and Senate across the country that will be released in the coming days and weeks. And some campaign stops are likely in the future.

It has already been announced that Obama will travel to Michigan on Oct. 24 to campaign with the Democratic nominee for the Senate Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive that prevailed in a highly contested and closely watched primary against a more moderate candidate.

The former president didn’t weigh in on primaries earlier this year, but is now backing both progressives and moderate candidates in the general election.

Obama won the state of Wisconsin and its 10 electoral votes when he first ran for president in 2008 and when he sought reelection in 2012. Since then, the swing state helped elect presidents Donald Trump in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Trump again in 2024.

“Thank you, President Barack Obama, for your kind words,” Crowley said in a statement on social media. “I am deeply honored to have your support in this race to be Wisconsin’s next Governor.”

With 26 days to go until Election Day, Nov. 3, it is full speed ahead for Crowley, who will be hitting the campaign trail with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Friday, Oct. 9.