How do you plan to confront those issues on the campaign trail?

Well, you have to meet people where they are.

And as you even learn, you know, throughout this campaign shows that we've seen a lot of manufacturing plants closing, a lot of jobs that are being taken over by artificial intelligence.

And so we have to make sure that we're doing everything that we can as a state to protect them.

And that means working with the private sector working with the public sector and working with everyone to make sure those opportunities are there.

So I'm looking forward to making sure that we're fully funding our school systems, that kids have access to the education that they need.

We also have a very abysmal minimum wage, still $7.25 an hour.

So I just am looking for what your plan is.

you deserve it?

Absolutely not.

You know, I want folks to understand that we're going to do everything that we can to protect all of our farmland, all of our people when it comes down to these data centers.

And when I think about data centers, if a community doesn't want them, they shouldn't be forced to actually have a data center in their backyard.

And as I continue to say, there's no ands or buts about that.

So we have to make sure that we're holding them accountable.

But if they do decide to move into a community, They have to, one, utilize union labor.

How do you appeal to the you betcha crowd?

How do you plan to confront those issues on the campaign trail?

Well, you have to meet people where they are.

And as we've learned throughout this campaign, we've seen a lot of manufacturing plants closing, a lot of jobs that are being taken over by artificial intelligence.

And so we have to make sure that we're doing everything that we can as a state to protect them.

And that means working with the private sector, working with the public sector and working with everyone to make sure those opportunities are there.

And so I'm looking forward to making sure that we're fully funding our school systems, that people have access, kids have access to the education that they need.

We also have a very abysmal minimum wage, still $7.25 an hour.

So I just am looking for what your plan is.

What is, what is the policy you want to see on data centers in Wisconsin?

Well, one, I want every Wisconsinite to know that we're gonna do everything that we can to protect ourselves from these data centers, protect our farmland, protect our energy, protect everything around us.

And at the end of the day, we need to make sure that these data centers are paying their way.

They need to earn their way into local communities.

They need to be held by strict guidelines and guardrails, as I've been hearing from voters all across this, uh, state.

Uh, but unfortunately, that is not the exact same thing that, that my opponent believes in.

He has voted to give $70 billion in tax breaks to big tech, and he also voted to allow data centers to actually steamroll these communities.

So, uh, are voters now, uh, given, given that the war in Iran has raised gas prices, has pushed up inflation across the board, uh, does, does that intersect now, th- that, does that war intersect with all of their voting decisions, including, uh, on races like governor?

Say a bit about David Crowley, and then we'll jump to the race itself.

You know, first of all, thank you for having me.

But I'm a kid who grew up in one of the poorest and most incarcerated zip codes here in the state of Wisconsin.

We call it the 53206 zip code.

I have great loving parents.

My father is a retired master electrician.

I lost my mother a couple of years ago to kidney failure, but she was a Jane of all trades.

What false info were you referencing?

How do you plan to unify Democrats after so much division, after such a heated primary battle?

Well, you know, we as Democrats, we are a big tent, and our job is to make sure that we can keep as many people under this tent as possible, and not try to kick people from up under it.

And so with this unity tour, we have been hanging out with all the gubernatorial candidates to make sure that we are going to reach our ultimate goal, which is making sure that we defeat the MAGA extremists and Congressman Tom Tiffany this November.

Uh, but it's not getting caught up in the divisions and the distractions that he wants to focus on, as well as the Republicans here in this state.

It's speaking directly to the issues that matter most to Wisconsinites: tackling the affordability crisis, uh, lowering costs for all of our working families, and making sure that they have access, uh, to affordable and accessible childcare and healthcare.

And I think as long as we continue to do that, coalesce people along the political spectrum, uh, we'll be able to not only bring Democrats together, but those who are, quite frankly, exhausted by, uh, MAGA to vote Democratic this upcoming fall as well.

Why not do both? Why not get rid of the gas tax and then try to work toward long-term relief, too?

Because we need to provide long-term relief.

What do you say to those ultra-progressive voters who say maybe you're too centrist for them, or you're not quite for them, or maybe they'll just stay home? What's your message in terms of bringing the party back together here?

here?Well, look, you know, when I think about all the candidates in this race, no, we may not agree on everything, but we do agree on our ultimate goal, which is making sure that we don't have a nominee like Congressman Tom Tiffany occupying this governor's office.

We know that he will set us back and, quite frankly, you know, tear down much of the progress that Governor Evers has made in the past eight years.

And so if we want for, if we want things to be more affordable, raise, like, tackling things like raising the minimum wage, making sure that childcare is affordable and accessible, right? That we can get rid of the minimum markup that we have, uh, at the gas pump that's, quite frankly, uh, uh, hitting all of us in some type of capacity, whether that's through groceries, our own pocket, or through municipalities.

It's time for us to come together.

And so I, I want folks to know that we can't continue, uh, to, to move forward by looking in the rear view mirror.

This is about how do we ultimately defeat, uh, MAGA extremism here in the state of Wisconsin.

The, talk to us about how voters there are receiving Tom Tiffany as potentially the next governor.

How do you plan to address those concerns?

Well, I, I would address those concerns by just focusing on my record, you know.

I, I may be the county executive of Milwaukee County.

I represent 19 different cities and villages of all sizes when they all fall somewhere on the, on the political spectrum.

Uh, but I'm also a Democratic county executive that works hand-in-hand with Republicans and Democrats and Governor Tony Evers- To produce shared revenue reform, right? There is more money going back to every small rural community, uh, every mid-size suburban community or no matter what size your urban community may be because of the work that we've done.

And so when we look at where we are in, you know, the levy limits and not being able to invest in incredible work, incredible resources into our infrastructure, a lot of that is because we've had a Republican-controlled legislature who has pretty much hoarded all the money, uh, at the state level.

So, uh, our job is to get these dollars out the door and make sure that we are lifting up our public schools, that we're lowering property taxes all across the state, making sure that all working families have a chance to get ahead.

How would you define your ability to work with Republicans if in fact they do retain one or both of those houses?

How do you plan to address those concerns?

Well, I, I would address those concerns by just focusing on my record, you know.

I, I may be the county executive of Milwaukee County.

I represent 19 different cities and villages of all sizes, and they all fall somewhere on the, on the political spectrum.

Uh, but I'm also a Democratic county executive that worked hand-in-hand with Republicans and Democrats and Governor Tony Evers- To produce shared revenue reform, right? There is more money going back to every small rural community, uh, every mid-size suburban community or no matter what size your urban community may be because of the work that we've done.

And so when we look at where we are in, you know, the levy limits and not being able to invest in incredible work, incredible resources into our infrastructure, a lot of that is because we've had a Republican-controlled legislature who has pretty much hoarded all the money, uh, at the state level.

So, uh, our job is to get these dollars out the door and make sure that we are lifting up our public schools, that we're lowering property taxes all across the state, making sure that all working families have a chance to get ahead.

How would you define your ability to work with Republicans if in fact they do retain one or both of those houses?

Do, do you want the support of Francesca Hong, about whom you've said, uh, and, and pulling this from an earlier candidate forum, "To be honest with you, there's not a lot of policies we really differ from." Do you want her support, or will you work to distance herself- uh, distance yourself from her?

Well, let's be very clear.

Like, we don't agree on everything, right? But we can agree, uh, that we have to do everything that we can that we- so we don't have a MAGA extremist and, and Congressman Tom Tiffany, you know, sitting in the governor's office, and that's what we have to focus on.

And there's, you know, whether you're Democrat or Republican, there's many different factions, if you will, across this, this political spectrum.

And so at the end of the day, our job is to make sure that we're tackling the affordability crisis, that we are lowering costs for families.

We're focusing on, you know, how we lower property taxes and invest in our public schools across the state.

And so I'm always willing to work with anybody, uh, who's want- who wants to deliver real results for, uh, the folks that we're gonna represent.

How would you define your ability to work with Republicans if in fact they do retain one or both of those houses?

Do, do you want the support of Francesca Hong, about whom you've said, uh, and, and pulling this from an earlier candidate forum, "To be honest with you, there's not a lot of policies we really differ from." Do you want her support, or will you work to distance herself-- uh, distance yourself from her?

Well, let's be very clear.

Like, we don't agree on everything, right? But we can agree, uh, that we have to do everything that we can that we- so we don't have a MAGA extremist and, and Congressman Tom Tiffany, you know, sitting in the governor's office, and that's what we have to focus on.

And there's, you know, whether you're Democrat or Republican, there's many different factions, if you will, across this, this political spectrum.

And so at the end of the day, our job is to make sure that we're tackling the affordability crisis, that we are lowering costs for families.

We're focusing on, you know, how we lower property taxes and invest in our public schools across the state.

And so I'm always willing to work with anybody, uh, who's want- who wants to deliver real results for, uh, the folks that we're going to represent.

How would you define your ability to work with Republicans if in fact they do retain one or both of those houses?

What do you want people watching right now to know about who you are today, how your background will shape how you plan to govern if you're elected?

Well, I appreciate that, and you know, I had a rough, you know, growing up, and a rough foundation.

But that foundation, it doesn't necessarily define who or what your future will be.

Now, that foundation does, it does help me of how I govern.

That's one of the reasons why we've invested in affordable housing, over $50 million, as well as into Housing First.

And because of that work, Milwaukee County has been recognized of having the lowest unsheltered homeless count per capita than any community in America.

You know, when we were fought- fighting to bring back opioid settlement funds, we invested those dollars back into the community, uh, because I know what my parents went through, and seen them with their struggle, and understand how, you know, when you're kicking your addiction, it's a lifelong journey.

... what's your plan to offset that imbalance in, in resources?

Why do you think you won last night?

Well, first and foremost, thank you for having me.

I, I think I won last night because we were, have, we have stark contrasts related to what we're going to do and how I'm the best candidate to ultimately defeat Tom Tiffany, uh, this upcoming November.

Uh, we know we need a candidate that o- not only has executive experience, has experience governing, uh, but has the ability to coalesce people along the political spectrum.

And so when we think about what's happening in this country, there are a lot of, uh, not just Democrats, but independents, Republicans who are quite frankly exhausted by MAGA and want a candidate that they can believe in.

And when I think about what we have done about fully funding our public schools, making sure to provide healthcare and childcare for those who absolutely need it, but more importantly, bridging the gap between suburban, urban, and rural communities all across this state is how we get, ultimately redu- we achieve our goal of defeating MAGA extremism and Congressman Tom Tiffany.

Um, the Wall Street Journal today called you, quote, "The man who halted progressive momentum." Is that a characterization that you- That you welcome?

A- absolutely not.

What have you learned about yourself?

Um.

That's a great question, John.

I mean, I've learned a lot.

One, you have a lot more in common with folks across this state than you really think that you do.

When I think about my own upbringing, growing up in a poor neighborhood, a poor community, or I should say a working class family, and still having the struggles with housing and mental health and drug addiction.

And when you're able to have those same conversations with You know, somebody who may live in Woodroffe or in Vilas County or in Sheboygan or in Eau Claire in Warsaw.

What have you learned about yourself?

What have you learned about yourself?

That's a great question, John.

I mean, I've learned a lot.

One, you have a lot more in common with folks across this state than you really think that you do.

When I think about my own upbringing...

You know, growing up in a poor neighborhood, a poor community where I should say a working class family and still having the struggles with housing and mental health and drug addiction.

And when you're able to have those same conversations with, you know, somebody who may live in Woodrow for or in Vilas County or in in in Sheboygan or in Eau Claire in Warsaw, you're able to build a lot of relationships.

How do you balance that job, which I know you love, with running for governor and visiting every county?

What have you learned about yourself?

That's a great question, John.

I mean, I've learned a lot.

One, you have a lot more in common with folks across this state than you really think that you do.

When I think about my own upbringing...

You know, growing up in a poor neighborhood, a poor community where I should say a working class family and still having the struggles with housing and mental health and drug addiction.

And when you're able to have those same conversations with, you know, somebody who may live in Woodrow for or in Vilas County or in in in Sheboygan or in Eau Claire in Warsaw, you're able to build a lot of relationships.

How do you balance that job, which I know you love, with running for governor and visiting every county?

Do you think that there is a clear delineation between those ex- those views that she has said and her desire to truly help Wisconsin voters? Or do you believe that you are the more appropriate candidate for that?

that?You know, I, I do believe that I, I'm the best candidate for this job.

It's one of the reasons why we've had our, our current sitting governor, Governor Tony Evers, e- endorse our campaign.

And, you know, when I think about Governor Evers, his experience in the past eight years, he has a chance to see all the different candidates, work with them in the state legislature, or many folks served in the cabinet with him.

I'm the only candidate that has gotten things done.

And when I think about our track rate of, you know, delivering the lowest unsheltered homeless counts, uh, in the entire country is right here in Milwaukee, how we've, you know, lowered overdose deaths by 40% in just four years, we're talking about having a candidate that can actually bring folks and coalesce people across the political spectrum.

I don't wanna cut you off, sorry, but is that because there has been so much conversations around the identity and the big tent of Democrats when you have DSA candidates and beyond? Is that clouding the, the clear identity for voters to know who Democrats are?

I think people are tired of re- us responding and reacting directly to Donald Trump and Republicans.

You only have a couple of days left to close that.

Well, the one thing that we know about the polls out there is that not all of it is actually accurate.

And I think we've seen that particularly with what happened in Michigan, because none of us or the candidates thought that we'll be waiting until Wednesday morning to figure out who won that election.

And Wisconsin is much different than Michigan, right? Like, you know, we're a lot more older and less diverse as Michigan.

But at the end of the day, people are looking for electability.

And when they look at my record, when they look at my experience being an executive and how we've brought Democrats, Republicans and independents, especially those who are exhausted by MAGA to the table, they're looking at this campaign.

And so to have this momentum that we've had in the past couple of weeks, we have to make sure that we don't leave no stone unturned.

Why? Do you believe she's outside of the mainstream of Wisconsin?

Yeah

... don't know.

But when you think about being a county executive, I mean, technically we're doing the work of a governor.

We're almost like mini governors in a sense.

It's about 14 of us, 13, 14 of us across the entire state.

And so as a county executive, I present my budget just like a governor would, and we present it to the county board and they amend that budget and send it back.

I have veto authority over that budget, just like the governor.

Right? So what have you taken away from appointments you've made in the past, and how does it change how you think about making appointments and staffing your administration in the future?

Talk a little about your position on school vouchers.

Well, when it comes down to our public schools, I'm, I'm a public school graduate.

I wanna be very clear about that.

And I, I have three daughters, and all of them, uh, go to, uh, Milwaukee Public Schools.

One just graduated from public schools and will be attending one of our, our, our university system, uh, public university system schools this year.

And so when it comes down to vouchers, when people say we're just gonna get rid of them, I don't think they're being honest, honest about the situation or really realistic.

I mean, one, this is gonna upend not just, you know, these children's learning, but also families, but what will this do actually to the public school system? In the city of Milwaukee, we have about 60 to 70,000 students total.

We, we, we don't have any wands on the show, unfortunately.

Even though you did not play in high school.

I did not play in high school.

So there's a whole story on that.

So I didn't play in high school, right, because I've always had a summer job since I was in eighth grade.

My dad told me, you got to get a job.

I did lawn maintenance, and I worked that job starting the summer of my eighth grade year until I graduated high school.

And they wanted me to play football.

So how did you get into politics?

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Wisconsinites today, including affordability and how you specifically would address them as governor?

You know, affordability hits on so many different topics, right? It hits on housing.

It hits on child care.

It hits on health care.

It hits us at the gas pump.

It hits us at the grocery store.

And so there's so much that we need to do.

What's your thinking on this issue? How do you contend with that information? That's quite a majority of folks.

No, but the fact that Francesca Hong is.

Oh.

Oh, I don't think that we should be running away from the different factions that we have within the Democratic Party.

I think that each voice, uh, has its role.

Uh, and so we have these primaries so people can pick their winning candidate, but at the end of the day, right, while we are focusing on winning these different primaries, it's our job to make sure that we're coalescing around one another.

And so whether you are a Democrat, whether you're an independent, whether you are a Republican who is exhausted by the MAGA agenda, and Democrats all across the entire state of Wisconsin, we have a goal in making sure that we're pushing policies that's going to make sure that the tide, when the tide rise, all the boats rise.

This campaign is focusing on tackling the affordability crisis.

What is their top concern?

Is it because you thought you weren't raising as much as her?

Well, I would say that, you know, when you when you look at the totality of the field, I was looking at what all the candidates had and what we were doing.

And so, you know, after talking with my wife, it was like, is the path really there? And so when you're seeing these numbers come from the campaigns, you know, you trust these numbers.

Right.

And so, unfortunately, what happened to our lieutenant governor is extremely disappointing, to be quite honest with you.

I was extremely angry.

And so when I when I.

How big of a deal is it for you as a black man to run for governor and possibly run the state?

Is it because you thought you weren't raising as much as her?

Well, I would say that, you know, when you when you look at the totality of the field, I was looking at what all the candidates had and what we were doing.

And so, you know, after talking with my wife, it was like, is the path really there? And so when you're seeing these numbers come from the campaigns, you know, you trust these numbers.

Right.

And so, unfortunately, what happened to our lieutenant governor is extremely disappointing, to be quite honest with you.

I was extremely angry.

And so when I when I.

How big of a deal is it for you as a black man to run for governor and possibly run the state?