Establishment Candidate Defeats Socialist Hopeful in Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary
State Rep. Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialists of America member, lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in Wisconsin's Democratic governor primary.
Wisconsin Democrats chose Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley over state Rep. Francesca Hong, a DSA affiliate, in the party's gubernatorial primary, marking a win for the centrist establishment. Crowley, endorsed by outgoing Governor Tony Evers, is set to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, a hard-right House Freedom Caucus member, in a race seen as a key GOP flip opportunity. Hong, a former chef and single mother, had been supported by high-profile progressives such as Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna, though Senator Bernie Sanders declined to endorse her.
Her campaign faced scrutiny over earlier social-media calls to defund and abolish police and a 2020 post suggesting Thanksgiving be canceled, which she later retracted. Pro-GOP super PACs reportedly spent millions to boost Hong in the primary, viewing her as the weaker Democratic contender.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 7 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
The outcome signals the Democratic Party's direction in a pivotal swing state ahead of a competitive general election.
How this story developed
- Jul 28 Early Voting Starts Amid Turbulent Wisconsin Democratic Governor Primary
- Aug 10 Abdul El‑Sayed secured the Democratic nomination in the Michigan Senate primary.
- Aug 10 Former Governor Scott Walker warned Republicans that supporting Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary could be very dangerous, noting Wisconsin’s open‑primary law.
- Aug 10 Democratic insiders warned that GOP fraud accusations could be directed at Flanagan.
- Aug 11 Republican Representative Tom Tiffany warned that a Hong victory could bring far‑left policies to Wisconsin.
- Aug 11 Recent polls show Hong holding a double‑digit lead over Crowley.
- Aug 11 The Democratic primary will determine if Hong, a former chef and single mother, becomes the party's nominee for governor, challenging the endorsement of retiring Gov. Tony Evers for Crowley. Hong leads in a recent poll with 38% support, while Crowley trails at 7% and other candidates have withdrawn. Her campaign emphasizes grassroots organizing, claiming 120,000 door knocks and a focus on issues such as legalizing marijuana, raising wages, and protecting freedoms. Critics warn her victory could affect donor contributions and raise questions about the party's ability to win the general election against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
- Aug 11 David Crowley re‑entered the race after receiving Gov. Tony Evers’s endorsement.
- Aug 11 Immigration and fraud issues have become central themes of the Democratic Senate primary.
- Aug 11 Democratic leaders announced a statewide unity tour featuring a breakfast with Baldwin and Pocan and a Milwaukee rally for Crowley.
- Aug 12 Flanagan secured the Democratic nomination with about 59% of the vote.
- Aug 12 With three‑quarters of votes counted, Hong and Crowley are separated by less than one point, keeping the Democratic nomination undecided.
- Aug 12 Wisconsin holds its Democratic gubernatorial primary with Francesca Hong and David Crowley as the final contenders.
In this story
Related stories
17 in this thread