The Wisconsin governor’s race has taken another unexpected turn after past social media activity linked to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley became the focus of scrutiny just days after he re-entered the Democratic primary, as reported [1] by Red State.
Crowley recently returned to the race after previously withdrawing, a move that came as Democratic leaders sought to consolidate support ahead of the party’s August 11 gubernatorial primary.
According to the report, party leaders viewed Crowley as a stronger general election candidate as state Rep. Francesca Hong gained momentum among Democratic voters.
The report also stated that former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, another Democratic candidate remaining in the race after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez exited amid campaign finance questions, is viewed by some within the party as being too progressive.
The renewed attention on Crowley’s campaign follows the discovery of an old social media account containing offensive posts dating back roughly 15 years.
Scoop: WI Dem Gov candidate David Crowley once set up an X burner account called ‘Dirt McGirk’ that made crude references about women and LGBTQ.
He says he shared account & didn’t write the controversial messages.
w/@BenjaminGoggin [2] @abedelman [3] https://t.co/5XKnrLIPdZ [4]
— Natasha Korecki (@natashakorecki) July 22, 2026 [5]
According to the report, Crowley and his campaign have denied that he authored the controversial posts, despite acknowledging that he had access to the account.
They contend that multiple individuals shared use of the account during that period.
However, NBC News questioned that explanation, pointing to several details within the account that appeared to identify Crowley personally.
According to NBC News, the account repeatedly referred to Crowley in the first person, displayed a selfie, included his initials, described itself by stating, “this is my twitter page where I loosen up the tie and bring out the bottles!! Ya dig!” and also stated, “I can’t really have my face out there when i’m representing #DWightman!!”
The report noted that Crowley was working for former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold during the period in question.
Additional reporting cited by the article pointed to the account’s biography.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the profile described itself as “A different side of me…,” language that some observers argue is difficult to reconcile with the campaign’s assertion that approximately 10 to 12 people shared the account.
The account reportedly remained active at the time of publication and continued to display older posts that critics have characterized as embarrassing.
The page, which is still active, includes posts like this: pic.twitter.com/wNRXsoNSkv [6]
— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) July 22, 2026 [7]
The controversy arrives during an already competitive Democratic primary campaign.
Earlier in the election cycle, Democratic leaders encouraged Crowley to re-enter the race after concerns that Hong could secure the nomination but face a difficult general election against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is backed by President Donald Trump and is considered the presumptive Republican nominee.
The report also referenced the recent Maine Democratic Senate primary, where nominee Graham Platner suspended his campaign after facing multiple controversies.
According to the report, criticism surrounding Platner included allegations regarding his past conduct as well as offensive online posts.
The article contrasted Platner’s response with Crowley’s, noting that Platner publicly acknowledged responsibility for his online comments while saying he had changed since making them.
In Crowley’s case, the campaign continues to dispute that he personally wrote the posts attributed to the shared account.
Whether the issue influences Democratic primary voters remains unclear.
With the August 11 primary approaching and a gubernatorial debate scheduled in the coming days, the controversy is likely to receive additional attention as candidates make their final appeals to voters.
As the campaign continues, questions surrounding the old social media account are expected to remain part of the discussion heading into one of Wisconsin’s most closely watched statewide races.