David Crowley makes case for governor after rejoining Wisconsin race
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- David Crowley has had an unusual campaign. After getting out of the race, he got back in, along with an endorsement from Governor Tony Evers.
Crowley had originally endorsed current Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, who got out of the race due to a campaign finance scandal.
Crowley says his executive experience makes him uniquely qualified to take on leading the state.
“When I made my decision to suspend this campaign, it was based off of the data and the facts that we had at that moment,” Crowley, current Milwaukee County executive and Democratic candidate for governor, said. “As you can imagine, so much information came each and every single day. We learned that, that data, those set of facts, were false. So, we got back in the race because this is not about me, this is about the people of Wisconsin.”
Affordability is the top issue for voters as they head to polls. Crowley says he has a plan to make life more affordable for everyday Wisconsinites. He has a plan to permanently lower gas prices.
“I think that the minimum markup law, particularly on gas at the pump, is something we can do immediately,” Crowley said. “We are spending 40 cents a gallon right now on a law that was passed in 1939, that doesn’t go to fix the roads but is guaranteed profits for big oil.”
On healthcare, Crowley says he wants to expand state-run programs like BadgerCare. He acknowledges it could be difficult with less federal funding coming in, but says the state still has options to make it work.
“It’s not like we are just providing free insurance, we are providing a sliding scale premium. So, business owners, gig workers, farmers, older adults, anyone can buy into this plan to make sure that folks are covered,” Crowley said.
Crowley says he would also fully fund public schools; however, he doesn’t think the school voucher program should be ended, especially in Milwaukee.
“Funding our schools to the tune of two-thirds, we have to do that, but we also have to make sure we increase the reimbursement rates,” Crowley said.
Crowley says voucher schools should be held accountable and operate transparently, with the same standards expected of public schools. He also feels the state can’t keep funding schools the way we always have. He wants to see new solutions to funding issues, which he says he is committed to figuring out.
“I would like to see a blue-ribbon commission bringing Republicans, Democrats, business leaders, labor leaders, academics, let’s see what other states are doing,” Crowley said. “What can we adopt here and bring it the people, because the status quo is not working in Wisconsin.”
Crowley has said one way the state can increase revenue is by legalizing marijuana. He would also like to see the tax system overhauled by taking a holistic approach to the process.
“What about corporate taxes? What about some of the tax breaks that we have had on the books for more than 10 to 15 years that we could be bringing back into the fold to make sure that our children and municipalities have everything they need?” Crowley said.
You can watch the full interview with Crowley below, as well as our interviews with the other candidates.