Former Mentors, Colleagues of Crowley Reflect on His Milwaukee Roots

Rep. David Crowley, then a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, speaks at a press conference in Milwaukee in 2017. (Photo by Edgar Mendez) Before stepping into the national spotlight as the Democratic nominee in the Wisconsin governor’s race, David Crowley was shaped by Milwaukee. Crowley was born and raised on Milwaukee’s North Side. His father, an electrician, and mother, who worked in the service industry, both struggled with addiction and mental health challenges. He has previously talked about his family’s experiences with evictions and poverty and how it connects to his past and current work. He spent time working with local groups and nonprofits like Urban Underground, Public Allies Wisconsin and Project RETURN before working behind the scenes in politics, serving as representative for District 17 in the Wisconsin State Assembly and being elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020. Some of Crowley’s mentors, former colleagues and friends/mentees are reflecting on his run for