After months of attack campaign ads, the airwaves are quieting down, the race is over, and state history has been made.

Democratic candidate David Crowley, a Milwaukee County executive, defeated Republican Tom Tiffany of Minocqua in the race, earning 54.1% of the statewide vote to Tiffany’s 45.9%. That’s according to preliminary numbers released by the Associated Press, which called the race in Crowley’s favor at about 10:30 p.m. on election night. Crowley is the first Black man elected as Wisconsin governor in the state’s 178-year history.

Sarah Godlewski was also on the ticket with Crowley and secured the position of lieutenant governor, defeating Republican David Varnam.

The candidates aimed to fill the seat being left by retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who decided not to run for re-election after two terms in office.

In his victory speech, Crowley highlighted his priorities, including lower costs for housing, utilities, and child care; real property tax relief; accessible and affordable health care; good schools, funded without a referendum every other year; and a government that’s open, accountable and transparent.

Following his win, the governor-elect released a statement that focused on his supporters’ campaign efforts as well as the struggles he faced growing up in a poor neighborhood in southern Wisconsin as a child.

“...Because of you, a boy who grew up facing eviction will soon take residence in the Governor’s Residence. Growing up, there were nights I didn’t know if there’d be dinner on the table, days where I didn’t know how I was getting to school. I grew up in one of those families, not knowing if we’d have a roof over our head or if the next doctor’s bill would wipe us out, hoping somebody in charge would give families like ours a fighting chance. So to all those families watching tonight, I see you. I hear you. I was you,” Crowley said.

He went on to say he aims to listen to and work for everyone who lives in the state, regardless of who they voted for.
“None of these are Democratic or Republican ideas; they are Wisconsin ideas. And for those of us headed to Madison in January, it’s our job to get it done. So let’s show the country how it’s done. In a world that is all too divided, let’s buck the trend in true Wisconsin fashion. Let’s be the state where elections make us better, not bitter. Where we stop asking where an idea came from, and instead ask where it will take us.

“We are not a red state or blue state; we are not defined by rural and urban. We are one people, one Wisconsin, and tonight, we choose to move forward together,” he said.

Outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, who endorsed Crowley as governor, released a statement on his victory.

“A few months ago, David becoming Wisconsin’s next governor might have seemed like a long shot. But fight runs in David Crowley’s blood. He was born a Comeback Kid, and David’s grit is as Wisconsin as it gets. So, just as he’s done all his life, David rolled up his sleeves, went to work, and made history anyway,” Evers said. “Growing up in our state’s poorest ZIP code, David’s family used to call him ‘governor.’ And, now, the people of Wisconsin and I will, too.”

Although the Associated Press didn’t call the race until about 10:30 p.m., Tiffany conceded at 9:45 p.m. on election night, saying, “While tonight was not the outcome we had hoped for, I am incredibly grateful to the Wisconsinites who supported our campaign. I congratulate David Crowley on his victory. We both care deeply about Wisconsin, and I wish him and his family the very best as he prepares to serve as our next governor.”

Democrats also swept offices in other state races. Unofficial vote totals show incumbent Attorney General Josh Kaul again defeated Republican challenger Eric Toney 54.7% of the state vote to 45.3%; for state treasurer, Democrat Yee Leng Xiong won 51.1% of the vote while incumbent Republican John Leiber had 48.9%. Xiong will be the first Hmong American in the nation to serve in a statewide office.

For the position of secretary of state, Milwaukee Alder JoCasta Zamarripa will serve as Wisconsin’s next secretary of state with 49.9% of the vote. Republican Jay Schroeder received 46.3% and Wisconsin Green Party candidate Pete Karas had 3.8%.

Local voters stay red

National pundits spoke a lot about the “Blue Tsunami” that hit the polls in the Nov. 3 election, with majorities in the Senate and House both flipping to the Democrats.

Meanwhile, voters in the Northwoods stayed staunchly in the red, with Republicans holding on to the 7th Congressional District seat and retaining the 34th State Assembly seat (see related stories).

Vilas County Clerk Kim Olkowski said the overall voter turnout was very good with an average of 78%.

“The towns ranged from 73% to 88%. For the past General Elections, in 2022 (Governor) we averaged 79% and in 2024 (Presidential) we averaged 94%,” she said.

Tiffany and Varnam secured 8,042 votes in Vilas County (61.5%), to Crowley and Godlewski’s 5,040 (38.5%). In Oneida County, 11,564 votes were cast for Tiffany for 57.5%, versus 8,551 for Crowley, 42.5%.

Republicans also secured other state races in Vilas, including the attorney general race where Republican Eric Toney won 7,904 to Josh Kaul’s 5,138. In the state treasurer race, Leiber secured 8,101 votes to Xiong’s 4,770. For secretary of state, Republican Jay Schroeder won 7,859 to JoCasta Zamarripa’s 4,693, and Green Party Pete Karas’ 348.

Oneida County saw similar results with Toney receiving 11,222 votes to Kaul’s 8,807; Schroeder, 11,237, Zamarripa, 7,969, and Karas, 684; and Leiber, 11,732 to Xiong’s 8,075.

Full county election results by town can be found by visiting vilascountywi.gov/residents/elections/election_results.php, or oneidacountywi.gov/november-3-2026-general-election-results.