MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI – David Crowley made the following statement after being sworn as Milwaukee County’s eleventh County Executive: “I am honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead Milwaukee County, especially in such a tumultuous time.
Milwaukee County was founded in 1835. I am the first African-American elected to lead it. Not just the symbolism, but the responsibility that comes with being the first, is something I am keenly aware of. But the time we’re in now calls for more than symbolism. We’re facing an unprecedented crisis. The very mortality of our community is at risk. The economy of our cities and villages has been hit in ways previously unimaginable. The challenge in front of us is to make sure the health of our citizens is paramount and that as we reopen our economy, we do all we can to get people back to work and rebuild what has been lost. But we can not have a healthy economy without a healthy community. It will not be an easy task, but I know the citizens of Milwaukee County are up to this challenge.
Ensuring that Milwaukee County is able to weather and regroup from this crisis is, and must be, my first priority upon entering office. But it cannot be our only priority. This crisis has laid bare other inequities that had been stewing beneath the surface, that must now be addressed. We must also confront the continued financial shortfalls of Milwaukee County. Before we had ever heard of COVID-19, the financial shortfalls in Milwaukee County were well known. My administration will undertake new and innovative strategies to bring revenue back into Milwaukee County. The services we provide – especially now – are too critical to continue slashing. My campaign was built on building bridges. We will govern that way, too. We want to bring in as many stakeholders with as many different viewpoints as possible as we work to move Milwaukee forward. By building bridges, we can make Milwaukee County stronger than ever before. This wasn’t going to be easy in the best of times. Now, it’s going to be that much harder. We know that the people of Milwaukee County are resilient. And therefore, Milwaukee County is resilient. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.” David was sworn in as Milwaukee County’s eleventh County Executive this morning in front of his home. Also present were outgoing County Executive Chris Abele, David’s wife, Ericka, three daughters, Alyssa, Ava, and Autumn, and Judge Joe Donald, who administered the oath of office.
