A familiar name — of sorts — has filed to run against Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
Daniel Crowley.
(No relation).
Daniel Crowley filed a declaration of candidacy on Nov. 27, listing a 29th Street address in Milwaukee. So far, he’s the only person to file for the race.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean his name will be on the ballot.
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To do that, a candidate for county executive must submit nomination papers with the signatures of at least 2,000 county residents by Jan. 2.
David Crowley has yet to file any papers, but that is expected to be a formality. He announced in October, with a fundraising event featuring Gov. Tony Evers, that he’s running for another four-year term.
David Crowley tells Milwaukee Magazine he is concerned about the “unfortunate” possibility of having very similar names on the ballot – “This is going to bring confusion to the election,” he says – and noted his campaign will have to ensure voters know his first name. But he says he looks forward to running on his record, framing it as an opportunity “to go back and talk about the successes of the past four years.”
The county executive says he’s familiar with Daniel Crowley but does not know him well. “I’ve seen him out and about in the community,” he says.
Daniel Crowley couldn’t be reached for comment.
If more than two candidates qualify for the ballot for county executive, a primary election would be held Feb. 20. The general election is April 2.
David Crowley, a former Democratic state representative from Milwaukee, won the 2020 county executive election by defeating another Milwaukee Democrat, state Sen. Chris Larson, by 50% to 49.5%.
So far there’s been no talk of a major candidate running against Crowley this time.
There’s one other surprise candidate filing so far for the spring elections.
Musician and activist Rayhainio “Ray Nitti” Boynes filed a declaration of candidacy on Monday for the seat held by longtime Milwaukee Ald. Bob Bauman.
Boynes was an investor in Community Within The Corridor East Block, a North Side affordable housing development. In October, residents reached a settlement in a lawsuit with the project’s developer over being displaced from the complex due to elevated levels of a cancer-causing chemical.
