David Crowley visits UW-Stevens Point ahead of November election

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley visited the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Wednesday, Oct. 28, alongside state and local elected officials ahead of Wisconsin’s Nov. 3 general election.

The rally was part of Crowley’s “Let’s Get to Work, Wisconsin!” bus tour, a statewide effort to meet voters ahead of Election Day. Crowley is running alongside Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin’s current secretary of state and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and his running mate, David Varnam. Gov. Tony Evers, who endorsed Crowley, is not seeking a third term.

Sophia Bauer-Shimek, a UWSP student majoring in English education, attended the event to show up for everybody.

“To show up for the people that are showing up for us and let them know that we care, we support them, and we are here with them. So many times, we see them on the news, and we just see them in ads, and to really see the people and to see that they are humans too,” Bauer-Shimek said.

Portage County Executive Eric Olson opened the rally by discussing the importance of voter outreach in the final days before Election Day.

“You cannot underestimate the importance of the last-minute voting effort,” Olson said.

Wisconsin state Rep. Vincent Miresse followed Olson. Miresse represents the 71st Assembly District, which includes Stevens Point and surrounding communities in Portage and Waushara counties. He was elected in 2024 and is running for reelection this fall.

William Garcia, chair of the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District Democrats, also spoke at the rally. JoCasta Zamarripa, the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin secretary of state, spoke next.

Josh Kaul, Wisconsin’s attorney general, followed Zamarripa. Kaul, who has held the position since 2019, is seeking reelection.

For some students, the event also provided an opportunity to hear from candidates about issues related to their future careers.

“I’m hoping to hear more about how David Crowley is going to support public educators in Wisconsin,” said Alayna Garrity, an education major at UWSP. “I’m hoping as an education major, to hear what his plans are for that so I can go into my post-grad years, knowing that I have a governor that supports me.”

Godlewski spoke next, addressing the crowd and encouraging those in attendance to work together ahead of the election.

“Stevens Point, we can do this together, but it will take all of us,” Godlewski said.

Evers was the final speaker before Crowley. Evers, Wisconsin’s 46th governor, was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Evers endorsed Crowley.

“It’s time for somebody better than me … and that is David Crowley,” Evers said.

The rally also included an endorsement from National Security Leaders for America, a nonpartisan network of former senior U.S. military, intelligence, diplomatic and civilian national security officials. Gary Hawley represented the organization and presented its endorsement of Crowley for governor.

“I didn’t know it was going to be at the DUC. If it was going to be further, I probably wouldn’t have come. But since it was on campus, it was easy,” said UWSP student Noah Bishop.

Crowley closed the rally by discussing his campaign priorities. He emphasized collaboration as a central part of his approach to leadership, drawing on his experience as Milwaukee County executive.

“I am working for you,” Crowley said. “I’m in this fight for our state, for the people of Wisconsin.”

UWSP student Alexandra Klemp-North said she had already voted and helped register other voters.

“I already voted, and I have helped register a couple hundred people to vote and make sure that they’ve got the opportunity to vote as well,” Klemp-North said.

The visit came ahead of Wisconsin’s Nov. 3 general election, when voters will choose their next governor. Crowley and Godlewski face Tiffany and Varnam in the gubernatorial race. Voters will also decide statewide races for attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer.

Wisconsin voters can check their registration status, find their polling place and review their ballot through the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s MyVote Wisconsin website.

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