Tuesday’s statewide elections in Wisconsin produced three historic firsts for the state’s political landscape. Democrat David Crowley was elected governor, becoming the first Black governor in Wisconsin history. Alongside him, JoCasta Zamarripa won the secretary‑of‑state race as the first Latino to hold that office, and Yee Leng Xiong secured the treasurer’s post as the nation’s first Hmong statewide elected officer.

Election results and the new leadership slate

The Democratic ticket—Crowley, Zamarripa, Xiong, and lieutenant‑governor Sarah Godlewski—formed the most racially diverse slate the state has ever seen. While the candidates occasionally referenced their historic wins on the campaign trail, the focus of their messaging remained on policy priorities and voter outreach.

Context of racial disparities in Wisconsin

Wisconsin continues to grapple with significant gaps in infant mortality, income, education outcomes, and incarceration rates among its Black, Latino, and Asian populations. In 2024, more than a quarter of Black Wisconsinites lived below the poverty line, a rate exceeded by only three states and Washington, D.C. Latino and Asian residents also faced higher poverty rates than their white counterparts and the national averages for those groups.

Educational attainment gaps are stark: between 2019 and 2024, the disparity between Black and white high‑school graduation rates was the widest in the nation. Black infants die at roughly three times the rate of white infants, a trend that public‑health experts say does not align neatly with family income. Homeownership among Black Wisconsinites is about one‑third that of white residents, and the incarceration rate for Black adults was roughly twelve times higher than for whites in 2022, second only to Vermont.

Crowley’s victory speech and personal background

In his victory address in Milwaukee, Crowley highlighted the challenges faced by Black Wisconsinites. “Because of you, a boy who grew up facing eviction will soon take residence in the governor’s residence,” he said, noting the historic nature of his win and the responsibility it carries.

Crowley previously became Milwaukee County’s first elected Black executive in 2020, joining a lineage that includes the state’s first Black lawmaker, Progressive Republican Lucian Palmer (1907‑1909), and former Secretary of State Vel Phillips, the first Black statewide elected official in 1978.

Latino outreach and Zamarripa’s plans

Secretary‑of‑state‑elect JoCasta Zamarripa, a lifelong Milwaukee resident, broke ground as the first Latina state lawmaker in 2010 and the first Latina member of Milwaukee’s Common Council in 2020. She emphasized the rapid growth of the Latino electorate, noting that roughly 20% of Milwaukee residents identified as Hispanic in 2024, compared with about 8% statewide.

Zamarripa’s campaign invested heavily in bilingual outreach, mailing bilingual literature, partnering with Spanish‑language radio, and placing ads across southeast Wisconsin and the Green Bay area. Similar Latino shares were reported in Kenosha, Racine, and Brown counties.

Hmong representation and Xiong’s outreach

Yee Leng Xiong, elected treasurer, is the first Hmong statewide officer in Wisconsin and the nation. Hailing from Marathon County—home to the state’s second‑largest Hmong community—Xiong highlighted personal outreach efforts, including Hmong‑language videos, bilingual events, and phone banking.

Wisconsin’s Hmong population, anchored in Wausau, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Madison, Eau Claire, and the Fox Valley, celebrated the milestone. Xiong cautioned that replicating his voter‑engagement model will require sustained relationships and continued Democratic presence in Hmong communities.

Voter stories from the polls

First‑time Latino voters like 44‑year‑old Nextaly Rodriguez and 18‑year‑old Jesus Mancilla shared their experiences at the Kosciusko Community Center in Milwaukee, both casting ballots for Crowley. Their comments underscored a desire for new representation and support for immigrant families.

When the dust settles, Democrats anticipate that the energized Black, Latino, and Hmong constituencies will continue to shape Wisconsin’s political future, influencing upcoming races in the 85th Assembly District and beyond.

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.