State Rep. David Crowley announces run for Milwaukee County executive

Alison Dirr | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

State Rep. David Crowley announced his campaign for Milwaukee County executive Monday, touting his ability to build bridges at a time when Milwaukee-area leaders are pushing state elected officials for more financial flexibility.

Crowley was the first elected official and one of three so far to file papers to run for the post after County Executive Chris Abele announced last month that he would not be seeking re-election in April. Abele had been running unopposed.

Crowley said there are a lot of opportunities in Milwaukee County but there are also communities here facing "tremendous challenges."

"When I think about my own experience being a young man in a struggling family who had to rely on county services but also worked for the Milwaukee County Board ... I think I bring a unique perspective to the Milwaukee County position," he told the Journal Sentinel.

He said he brings experience building bridges, saying it will take Republicans, Democrats, members of organized labor and the business community together to meet goals and ensure that needed services are provided.

"At the end of the day, whoever is the next county executive is going to have to work with the state Legislature and the governor in order to find ways to bring more resources back to Milwaukee County," he said.

Crowley said many of the services the county provides are required by state statute, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the state and the county.

Milwaukee-area leaders are seeking permission from the state for a binding referendum to raise the county sales tax to 1.5% from 0.5%. They say the additional revenue would be used to provide property tax relief and fund countywide priorities in the face of stagnant revenue from the state.

County leaders have also been pushing their "Fair Deal for Milwaukee County" to avert a fiscal crisis and change how state tax revenue is handled.

Peggy M.M. Wittman, a clerical specialist in the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court, was the first to file papers to run for the seat.

On Monday, Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy filed papers to run and will formally announce his campaign this week.

Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.