Wisconsin Gov. Candidate Oversaw $65 Million Rental Aid Deal Involving Wife's Nonprofit
Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley approved a Milwaukee County contract that funneled over $65 million in federal rental assistance to Community Advocates, a nonprofit employing his wife.
David Crowley, the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor, supervised Milwaukee County’s distribution of federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds through a nonprofit called Community Advocates. Since June 2020, the county has allocated more than $65 million to the organization, which employed Crowley's wife, Ericka, beginning that same year. She advanced to director of the Rental Housing Resource Center, a role listed on the nonprofit’s website.
In November 2022, the county health department reported receiving a $15 million Treasury grant to continue the partnership. Community Advocates says Crowley approved the contract but did not influence funding decisions, and that Ericka’s salary matches that of comparable managers. The campaign did not respond to inquiries about conflict-of-interest disclosures or compensation adjustments. Crowley now faces Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the November 3 general election.
Why it matters
The story raises questions about potential conflicts of interest for a major political candidate overseeing public funds.
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