Who is David Crowley? Wisconsin Democratic candidate criticized for reappearance of racist, sexist posts from old account
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Democratic candidate Wisconsin The governor is facing scrutiny after racist, sexist and homophobic posts resurfaced on a 16-year-old social media account.
Crowley’s campaign acknowledged that he had access to the account but said he did not create the offensive content, which dates back to 2010.
The controversy comes just days after Crowley relaunched his gubernatorial campaign after Lt. Gov. Sarah Rodriguez dropped out of the Democratic primary. The controversy quickly gained attention ahead of the Aug. 11 primary election in Wisconsin, where the race was already tight.
Who is David Crowley?
Crowley has served as Milwaukee County Executive since 2020, becoming the first Black person elected to the position. Prior to that, he represented Wisconsin’s 17th District in the state Legislature after serving on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
He built his political profile around public health, economic development and local government reform.
Last week, Crowley rejoined the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial race after taking a break from campaigning. His return comes after Rodriguez decided to end his campaign amid a campaign finance reporting controversy. Crowley is now one of five Democrats seeking the party’s nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election.
When Crowley entered the race, NBC News first reported that an X account associated with Crowley contained offensive and racist posts dating back to 2010. The account was reportedly originally created to promote a bar and social club in Milwaukee.
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“Dirt McGuirk”
The account name on X is “Dirt McGirk”.
according to fox newsIn 2010, the account tweeted: “This is DC, aka David bka Dirty or black a*** dude.” It read: “Frankly I have never slept with a white woman! Is this bad?”
Another post read: “I need all the sexy ladies to DM me ;)”.
Some others included, “This is disgusting!!! I won’t [expletive] her and yours [expletive] !!! # slap yourself. “
On another post from 2010, someone commented: “I don’t even call police pigs…I call them cows…it’s beef.”
Campaign denies Crowley wrote offensive posts
Crowley’s campaign said the account was shared by 10 to 12 people 15 years ago.
A campaign spokesman said Crowley did not write the racist, sexist or homophobic posts that are currently under review. The campaign acknowledged that Crowley had used the account to discuss his father’s history, an issue he has spoken publicly about before.
Crowley also issued a personal statement condemning the language.
“People who know me will be the first to tell you that I would never say these things,” he said. “Bottom line: I strongly condemn the language used in these posts from fifteen years ago.”
NBC News later updated the story after Rayhainio Boynes said he also used the account and said he believed Crowley did not write the offensive messages.
