David Crowley, the Milwaukee county executive, won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor on Tuesday, defeating progressive candidate Francesca Hong in a race that tightened dramatically in the final weeks. Crowley's victory came after he re-entered the contest late, securing an endorsement from outgoing Governor Tony Evers, who has held the office since 2019 and did not seek re-election.
Race to the Finish
The primary was decided by a narrow margin, with Crowley and Hong trading leads as results were counted. Polls had shown Hong as a clear frontrunner, but a large number of undecided voters and a shifting field made accurate polling difficult. The outcome mirrored recent trends in the Midwest, where progressive candidates like Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan won their primaries but with slimmer leads than polls suggested.
Hong, a chef and former restaurant owner from Madison, ran on a platform that included universal childcare, free school meals, and a one-year moratorium on new data centers—positions that set her apart from other Democrats in the race. However, her campaign faced headwinds from past statements, including a tweet about canceling Thanksgiving and previous support for defunding the police, which she has since walked back.
Electability Argument
Crowley's pitch centered on electability, arguing he was better positioned to defeat the Republican nominee, Tom Tiffany, a congressman who voted against certifying the 2020 election results and ran unopposed in the GOP primary. Crowley told the Guardian: “We knew that the stakes were too high for me to sit on the sideline, and that we need the best candidate, not just with executive leadership, but somebody who has a proven track record of getting things done. And that’s what voters want. They want someone they can trust. And that’s why we got back into this race.”
The race saw several twists, including the exit of top contender Sara Rodriguez due to campaign finance irregularities, prompting Crowley to re-enter. Mandela Barnes, the 2022 Democratic Senate nominee, dropped out on 31 July. Other candidates included state senator Kelda Roys and Joel Brennan, former head of the Wisconsin department of administration.
Progressive Test in the Midwest
The Wisconsin primary was seen as a test of the progressive wing's strength with Democratic voters, following El-Sayed's Senate win in Michigan. Minnesota also held a Senate primary between a moderate and a progressive. These races came after a wave of progressive victories in deeply blue areas.
Democrats in Wisconsin are seeking a governing trifecta, aiming to win control of both legislative chambers and retain the governor's office to enact their agenda. The general election is expected to draw significant national attention and funding, as Wisconsin is a perennial battleground state.
Other Key Races
In Wisconsin's third congressional district, Rebecca Cooke, a moderate Democrat, won the primary to face Republican Derrick Van Orden, a key pickup opportunity for Democrats. Cooke, who lost to Van Orden in 2022 and 2024, was endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a move that sparked local backlash. Emily Berge, a former Eau Claire city council president, ran against Cooke, with some national groups spending to boost Cooke, viewing her as the stronger general election candidate.
The general election will determine whether Crowley can replicate his primary success against Tiffany, with both parties expected to pour resources into the race.
