Gubernatorial Candidates David Crowley (D) and Scott Walker (R)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala (R), a lifelong Republican with deep roots in the Kenosha County GOP, went to Democratic State Rep. Ben DeSmidt’s (D) annual Pig Roast at Union Park Tavern on Saturday to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley (D) in his campaign to become Wisconsin’s next governor. Crowley later highlighted the Kenosha event on his Facebook page, prominently featuring a photograph of himself with Bogdala.
The event wasn’t simply a chance encounter between two elected officials. DeSmidt’s annual Pig Roast was advertised as a campaign fundraiser “leading up to the November election,” hosted by Ben DeSmidt for Assembly – District 65. The event was held in the backyard of Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. in Kenosha. Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive and Democratic nominee for governor, has been actively campaigning across Wisconsin in recent weeks.
Bogdala’s support of Crowley presents a striking contrast with the mayor’s lengthy Republican history. Bogdala has described himself as a MAGA Republican, has portraits of Republican President Ronald Reagan in his home, has said he has never voted for a Democrat and once held an actual leadership position with the Republican Party of Kenosha County.
Bogdala wasn’t merely someone who reliably voted Republican. Before his election to the Kenosha Common Council, he served as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Republican Party of Kenosha County. A surviving Republican Party slate lists “David Bogdala — Sergeant-at-Arms” alongside the organization’s other officers. KCE also documented Bogdala’s former position with the county GOP in 2025 when he returned to a formal Republican gathering after more than a decade away. (Kenosha County Eye)
Bogdala carried those Republican credentials into his early years on the Common Council. KCE reported in 2022 that Bogdala advocated zero-percent tax increases, reducing government spending and streamlining city departments, fought to add police officers and firefighters to the budget, and opposed Kenosha’s streetcar. KCE also reported that Bogdala considered seeking Paul Ryan’s congressional seat in 2012 if Ryan became vice president. (Kenosha County Eye)
But perhaps no photograph illustrates Bogdala’s Republican political history better than one taken on February 23, 2010.
That day, David Bogdala and his wife, Linda Bogdala, who is now executive director at Brookside Care Center, personally welcomed then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker. A Republican Party of Kenosha County Facebook post featured the Bogdalas standing with Walker and declared, “Dave and Linda Bogdala with the next Governor of Wisconsin — Scott Walker!” Walker went on to win the election that November and remains Wisconsin’s most recent Republican governor.
Sixteen years later, the two images paint dramatically different pictures. In 2010, Bogdala was personally welcoming the Republican candidate seeking to become Wisconsin’s next governor. In 2026, Bogdala is supporting the Democratic candidate seeking that same office.
The contrast is even more significant considering Bogdala’s own longstanding position about partisan politics. During his years as an alderman, Bogdala would caution other aldermen, “Don’t get involved in partisan politics.” Bogdala himself largely stayed away from partisan politics for years as his ambitions at City Hall grew.
KCE examined Bogdala’s political evolution as far back as 2022. Bogdala began his political career as one of the relatively few Republicans on the Kenosha Common Council and frequently clashed with Democratic Mayor Keith Bosman. Over the years, however, his relationships with Democrats changed as Bogdala rose through the council’s leadership and eventually set his sights on becoming mayor.
Bogdala has also crossed party lines before. At a Republican gathering in April 2025, Bogdala was directly questioned about his previous endorsement of Democrat Peter Barca for Congress. Bogdala defended the endorsement by saying that although he disagreed with Barca on issues, Barca had always been responsive when Bogdala needed assistance as an alderman. “For me, it’s about who picks up the phone,” Bogdala told the Republican audience.
That April 2025 event seemed to mark Bogdala’s return to his Republican political roots. After more than a decade away from formal Republican Party gatherings, Bogdala attended the Republican Party of Kenosha County’s “Pints and Politics.” The party’s current Sergeant-at-Arms introduced Bogdala as “the City’s first conservative mayor in history,” and Bogdala discussed public safety, development and his administration’s accomplishments. When asked about the 2020 unrest, Bogdala answered unequivocally: “It was a riot.”
Bogdala closed that Republican appearance by telling the crowd, “The best is yet to come.”
Now, less than a year and a half later, Bogdala is supporting the Democratic nominee for governor.
Crowley clearly considered his Kenosha visit worth showcasing. On his Facebook page, Crowley posted photographs from DeSmidt’s Pig Roast and wrote, “What an evening at Rep. DeSmidt’s annual Pig Roast! Thanks for having me Ben, it was a great night full of delicious food, music, and good company.” The largest photograph in Crowley’s post featured Crowley face-to-face with Bogdala, with Bogdala holding Crowley’s arms.
The political setting is important. Crowley isn’t simply another Democratic officeholder with whom Bogdala must interact while serving as mayor. Crowley is the Democratic nominee for governor in a partisan statewide election, and DeSmidt’s Pig Roast was explicitly promoted as a fundraiser leading up to November’s election.
Bogdala won a competitive mayoral election in 2024, and Kenosha’s mayoral office is officially nonpartisan. Since taking office, however, Bogdala has increasingly moved in partisan political circles on both sides. Just this past Thursday, Bogdala was advertised as the featured speaker at the Kenosha County Democratic Party’s monthly membership meeting.
That is a remarkable change from the Republican alderman who once cautioned his colleagues against getting involved in partisan politics.
Bogdala is likely to face another difficult mayoral election, and some people who have known him politically for years believe his increased involvement with Democrats is an effort to broaden his appeal among Democratic voters before he again faces Kenosha voters. Bogdala has not publicly said that is his motivation, and that interpretation remains exactly that — an interpretation of his changing political activity.
What can be documented is the contrast.
On February 23, 2010, David and Linda Bogdala stood with Scott Walker while the Republican Party of Kenosha County enthusiastically proclaimed Walker “the next Governor of Wisconsin.” Bogdala would go on to build a political career around a conservative Republican identity and eventually serve as an officer of the county Republican Party.
Sixteen years later, Mayor David Bogdala is supporting David Crowley, the Democrat who wants to become Wisconsin’s next governor.
For a lifelong Republican who once told other aldermen, “Don’t get involved in partisan politics,” the two photographs certainly paint two very different pictures.
58 Responses
Sgt at arms isn’t a title any coward should hold.
💯
He’s a terrible mayor and I sure hope someone
Strong will run against him
Agreed
Kevin run for mayor
Yes please! I second that!!
Anyone but Bogdala.
You should run for mayor pinche KM!
Hey Kev,
Have you talked to Sandy since her loss to Ellen ?
I think a comment from her and other prominent Republicans in our county about this is the next thing to write about.
With the November General election just 8 weeks away, things here in Kenosha seem to be already decided. Yet the future of the Republican Party here locally now seems even more uncertain.
Is Kenosha both city and county lost to a handful of RINOs ? Seems that way.
Chad Kerkman’s up next Spring and it seems that his seat is vulnerable for any solid republican to try to take. Challenged by Chad or not, it’s about as easy of a campaign to get going and win !’
The Kenosha Republican Party needs to regroup and figure out if we are going to rejoin the fight or just sit back and complain every Wednesday morning.
From Salem to Somers to our County officials, there are plenty of opportunities for vocal solidarity republicans to mount campaigns and grab these seats as they come around.
Just need to know who’s leading that charge !?!
Hey Kev,
Have you talked to Sandy since her loss to Ellen ?
I think a comment from her and other prominent Republicans in our county about this is the next thing to write about.
With the November General election just 8 weeks away, things here in Kenosha seem to be already decided. Yet the future of the Republican Party here locally now seems even more uncertain.
Is Kenosha both city and county lost to a handful of RINOs ? Seems that way.
Chad Kerkman’s up next Spring and it seems that his seat is vulnerable for any solid republican to try to take. Challenged by Chad or not, it’s about as easy of a campaign to get going and win !’
The Kenosha Republican Party needs to regroup and figure out if we are going to rejoin the fight or just sit back and complain every Wednesday morning.
From Salem to Somers to our County officials, there are plenty of opportunities for vocal solidarity republicans to mount campaigns and grab these seats as they come around.
Just need to know who’s leading that charge !?!
Have you followed Sandy or the local party? They are 100% working towards fall elections. Will you step up to help?
They provide a lot of opportunities for the community to get involved in the fight.
Loser
POS .Both of them.
Totally agreed
What an imbecile. There’s only one thing worse than a Democrat; that’s a RINO.
Yup!!
He always says he supports Kenosha. But I seen on Facebook then he had a fancy wedding for his daughter in Milwaukee. I guess there’s no good enough venue in Kenosha. Yet him his wife both kids salaries off of Kenosha taxpayers. In his salaries are not exactly little
He’s a FIB.
Totally agree! Flipflop!
What an imbecile. There’s only one thing worse than a Democrat; that’s a RINO.
Bogdala is corrupt as corrupt comes.
Ah, A lying socialist comi supporting another lying socialist comi, no surprise there.
Can’t believe Anyone would be Dumb enough to actually vote for Crowley.
Must be the takers, sure wouldn’t be any Tax Payers with more than one brain cell.
Bogdala and Morrissey, twin disasters for Kenosha.
I hope somebody’s strong runs against him and has a lot of money and beats him send him packing
How Sweet, The Data Center Dave Twins in a warm embrace.
Kevin – you should look into the data centers that Bogdala wants so desperately. Your articles are always so informative.
I hope somebody’s strong runs against him and has a lot of money and beats him send him packing
All smoke and mirrors. Corrupt scumbags
If you stop playing the “pick a side” game and start looking at actual candidates, Tom Tiffany is a sellout. He cares nothing for helping the people of Wisconsin. He’s promising land to the highest bidders. Telling mining and logging companies that he will give them rights to tear apart our beautiful state. He doesn’t talk to constituents unless they’re wealthy. He skips votes for no reason.
This is the time to stop your obsession with one side fighting the other to “win”. Start looking at what each candidate will do without party affiliation being your only information.
Prices are sky high. Gas is outrageous. Our schools are broke. Every rich person wants to buy our state for their own purpose. Start thinking about who will protect your rights.
If Tiffany were running against Hong (which he would be if not for late night ballot drops) would your views be the same? If so, then I understand your point.
Anyone but Tiffany. He is NOT a leader we want. Wisconsin deserves better
But Crowley will fix all that??? Please!!
And you are so full of crap!!!!
He’s a typical politician says and does whatever he can do to get elected.
Talks out both side of his month…
The mayor post pictures on Facebook sometimes telling people to support local establishments. But I just seen on Facebook that he had a really fancy elaborate wedding for his daughter. Not in Kenosha but Milwaukee. Both him and his wife make money off the city taxpayers. But I guess there’s no fun you in Kenosha that’s good enough.
He’s always posting pics on Facebook. Supposedly supporting local establishments. Yet when he has to spend his money I seen on Facebook he went to some fancy place in Milwaukee for his daughter’s wedding. I guess it wasn’t any venue in Kenosha for him and his wife. They both receive their salaries from Kenosha taxpayers.
Meet the new Boss same as the old boss .. the old one owned by the Mahone Fund .. The new one brought to by Bear Reality .. Bogdala ass licking Demorat ..Rhino POS
What’s his tie to Bear Realty?
“Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.’”
Pray for wisdom & discernment, it’s only going to get worse…
Bogdala should just quit faking it and switch party affiliation to democrat.
It’s a great platform. Bring the incompetence, inefficiency, and ineptitude of Milwaukee government statewide.
The Republican Party in Wisconsin is toast.
New Governor will have key positions to fill in a new administration. Bogdala might be looking at a bit Quid pro quo using a political endorsement to gain a future job opportunity. Both sides of the aisle do it.
Nothing new as politicians age and grow tired of chasing votes.
Conservatives don’t let conservatives call democrats “democratic”.
Lets not do that.
Say “democrat rep”
This is surprising. Bogdala has more brains that I thought. Scott Walker was a disaster for this state.
Bogdala is a Commie and a “Fence Sitter”. Now we know how UPT gets free equipment loans for events.
I regret voting for this mayor! He is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Why would he go to this socialist fundraiser? Not voting for him if he runs for a second term!
Judas Bogdala
Bogdala is a puppet for Morrissey (D). He will follow what he tells him to do. Morrissey has been a RINO from the beginning. Next up, Chief Patrick Patton, will be the next City Administrator at the direction of Morrissey and Aaron Dillhoff the new Chief of KPD. Magic.
If Crowley wins, Bogdala and his family will have jobs in Madison!
Has he lost his mind!!
Well, apparently he never had one
A lifelong Republican supporting Kamala’s stepbrother, who is also worst-Ever(s)’ favorite?
This is treason, Mr. Mayor. You better explain yourself to everyone who voted for you, because you lied to us by claiming you were a Republican.
Sounds like a traitor from within. What has Crowley even done? My memory’s of him are from the 10 o’clock news. He cries of Milwaukee County problems and then begs for state aid.
It’s so funny to see how many people singing the praises of Republicans, but they can barely afford gas and groceries. Keep hiding your heads in the sand.
Show up at any and all public events he’s at. Ask questions, WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
Kenosha County Republican response?
A Democrat Governor will be of no help to State Rep Nedweski(R) or perhaps she is reviewing her options?
Something to consider before making campaign contributions.