Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley allegedly negotiated a financial deal in exchange for dropping out of Wisconsin’s governor’s race this summer. According to a senior Democratic political adviser with firsthand knowledge of the negotiations, Crowley’s campaign demanded $250,000 for future political activities and a paid job for his wife in exchange for his endorsement of another candidate.
The allegations were first reported by The Daily Wire on October 23. The got more significant yesterday, when The Lakeland Times reported that the political adviser had signed an affidavit detailing the alleged arrangement. The newspaper says it reviewed the sworn statement and verified its authenticity.
According to the adviser, the negotiations lasted approximately a month in June. Crowley’s campaign allegedly made it clear that he would not endorse Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez unless $250,000 was promised for a future campaign for Milwaukee County executive or other political activities. The alleged agreement also included a paid position for Crowley’s wife, Ericka Crowley, in a future administration.
Crowley dropped out of the governor’s race on July 8 and endorsed Rodriguez the following day. At the time, he publicly insisted that nobody had asked him to leave the race and that his decision was based on his belief that she was the best candidate.
The financial arrangement described in the political adviser’s affidavit is not good. Political endorsements and campaign contributions are common, but demanding money and employment for a family member in exchange for withdrawing from an election and endorsing another candidate is probably illegal.
There are also questions about whether any money changed hands. According to The Heartland Post, campaign finance records through September 23 did not show a transfer from Rodriguez’s campaign to Crowley’s. But the alleged arrangement involved a promise of money for future political activities, so the absence of a reported transfer doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Crowley’s campaign has denied the allegations. Spokesperson Philip Shulman told The Lakeland Times, “These claims are not true, and this never happened.” We await more evidence to evaluate whether or not bribery or other crimes occurred in connection with Crowley’s withdrawal from the governor’s race.
I have questions. Who participated in the alleged negotiations? Were there written communications discussing the $250,000 or employment for Crowley’s wife? Was any financial commitment made, even if the money was never transferred? Those are the kinds of questions that could be answered by examining campaign records, emails, text messages, and other documentation.
Crowley’s endorsement lasted only eight days. On July 17, Rodriguez withdrew from the governor’s race, and Crowley announced the following day that he was getting back in. He subsequently won the Democratic primary in August.
An even more interesting question remains: If Crowley really demanded money and a job for his wife in exchange for leaving the race, did he also demand money or other favors to get back into it?
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