The Case Against David Crowley

Exhibit 01

The first question of the night: why should voters trust he won’t keep raising their taxes?

David Crowley: Every single year we’ve been able to bring down a property tax rate. David Crowley: We delivered the largest property tax cut in history

Crowley’s claim

“We delivered the largest property tax cut in history.”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

Five budgets. Five tax increases.

The county property tax levy in his budgets

2021 budget, signed+0.95%2022 budget, signed+1.8%2023 budget, proposed+1.1%2025 budget, signed+2.5%2026 budget, proposed+4.1%

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The levy is “the total amount collected in property taxes.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Exhibit 02

Given “one more chance” to say where his tax increases would start.

I’ll give you one more chance.You don’t have a threshold though for where taxes will go up. What that income level is.This is about making sure that we’re working with the legislature.They’re the ones who have the power of the purse,and so as I’m crafting my budget, I look forward to working with them.Do voters deserve to know that ahead of the election?I think voters want to make sure that they have somebody who’s going to work for them.

Question: I’ll give you one more chance. Question: You don’t have a threshold though for where taxes will go up. What that income level is. David Crowley: This is about making sure that we’re working with the legislature. David Crowley: They’re the ones who have the power of the purse, David Crowley: and so as I’m crafting my budget, I look forward to working with them. Question: Do voters deserve to know that ahead of the election? David Crowley: I think voters want to make sure that they have somebody who’s going to work for them.

Crowley’s claim

“This is about making sure that we’re working with the legislature.”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

He wouldn’t name a threshold. His sales tax didn’t have one.

He signed into law a near-doubling of the county sales tax, from 0.5% to 0.9%.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Exhibit 03

Asked what he’d tell a Wisconsin Rapids voter who says both candidates have made conflicting statements on data centers.

David Crowley: But communities need to have a seat, David Crowley: because if they don’t want a data center, David Crowley: they shouldn’t be forced to have a data center. David Crowley: There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about that. David Crowley: I’ve always sided with communities and the people David Crowley: when it comes down to data centers.

Crowley’s claim

“I’ve always sided with communities and the people when it comes down to data centers.”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

Before the debate, he was selling them.

“There’s an opportunity for us to really become AI and a data hub not only for the entire country, but for the entire globe.”

Wisconsin Examiner

“Data centers … can bring significant benefits to Wisconsin.”

His op-ed, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Exhibit 04

Minutes later, on the sales tax breaks data centers get.

David Crowley: And if there’s a bill that comes to my desk removing all the sales tax incentives, David Crowley: I absolutely will sign that.

Crowley’s claim

“If there’s a bill that comes to my desk removing all the sales tax incentives, I absolutely will sign that.”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

In July, he wrote the opposite.

“I do not believe Wisconsin should automatically roll back all data center tax incentives.”

His op-ed, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Exhibit 05

Asked if he’s backing a moratorium on data centers.

Question: Are you pushing or backing a moratorium at this point? David Crowley: I know that there’s an environmental review that is going on, David Crowley: and at this moment we know that there’s a pause related to data centers being built, David Crowley: and I support the pause until that environmental review, David Crowley: as this environmental review goes through the process.

Crowley’s claim

“I support the pause until that environmental review…”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

In July, he answered in writing.

Question: Do you support a moratorium on new data center development?

Answer:

“No. I do not support a blanket moratorium on new data center development.”

His op-ed, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Exhibit 06

Making his case on public safety, he pointed to the courthouse project.

David Crowley: And right now we’re working on creating David Crowley: the most historic investment and replacing the courthouse

Crowley’s claim

“Right now we’re working on creating the most historic investment and replacing the courthouse…”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

The cost nearly doubled.

The courthouse project

Earlier estimate$490 million His administration’s July estimate$897 million Expected borrowing$763 million

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The county is expected to pay off the debt by increasing its property tax levy.

Urban Milwaukee

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Exhibit 07

His closing statement.

David Crowley: But me? David Crowley: I’ll work for you. David Crowley: I’ll lower your costs.

Crowley’s claim

“But me? I’ll work for you. I’ll lower your costs.”

David Crowley on WISN 12, Oct. 21, 2026

The record

Higher taxes. Fewer services.

His 2026 budget proposed a 4.1% property tax levy increase.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

And sizable cuts to transit and health and human services.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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The case against David Crowley.

The debate begins.

The first question of the night: why should voters trust he won’t keep raising their taxes?

Five budgets. Five tax increases.

Given “one more chance” to say where his tax increases would start.

He wouldn’t name a threshold. His sales tax didn’t have one.

Asked what he’d tell a Wisconsin Rapids voter who says both candidates have made conflicting statements on data centers.

Before the debate, he was selling them.

Minutes later, on the sales tax breaks data centers get.

In July, he wrote the opposite.

Asked if he’s backing a moratorium on data centers.

In July, he answered in writing.

Making his case on public safety, he pointed to the courthouse project.

The cost nearly doubled.

His closing statement.

Higher taxes. Fewer services.

The debate is over.
Election Day is next.

We can’t afford
David Crowley.

The debate begins.

The first question of the night: why should voters trust he won’t keep raising their taxes?

Five budgets. Five tax increases.

Given “one more chance” to say where his tax increases would start.

He wouldn’t name a threshold. His sales tax didn’t have one.

Asked what he’d tell a Wisconsin Rapids voter who says both candidates have made conflicting statements on data centers.

Before the debate, he was selling them.

Minutes later, on the sales tax breaks data centers get.

In July, he wrote the opposite.

Asked if he’s backing a moratorium on data centers.

In July, he answered in writing.

Making his case on public safety, he pointed to the courthouse project.

The cost nearly doubled.

His closing statement.

Higher taxes. Fewer services.

The debate is over.Election Day is next.

We can’t affordDavid Crowley.

The debate is over.
Election Day is next.

We can’t afford
David Crowley.