Democratic socialist Francesca Hong came within a few thousand votes of winning Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial nomination on Tuesday, despite leading in polls and being the betting favorite. Her narrow loss offers critical lessons for both the left and the Democratic establishment, according to Ben Davis, a political data worker and former Bernie Sanders campaign staffer.
Party Establishment Still Holds Sway
Davis argues that the Democratic party's institutions and leaders remain powerful forces, as demonstrated by the rapid consolidation around Joe Biden in 2020 after Bernie Sanders' Nevada victory. In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers and other party leaders signaled support for David Crowley, who had dropped out of the race a month earlier but became the nominee after a swift party-wide endorsement.
This ability to move voters, Davis notes, shows that the party is far from hollow. Despite losing some legitimacy among Democrats, a majority still trust its leaders and institutions. The establishment's rapid consolidation can overcome years of grassroots organizing, as Hong's campaign demonstrated.
Scale and Communication Challenges for the Left
The left's organizing strength, built on door-knocking and tight social networks, has created a deep but narrow base. To win statewide, Davis says, the left must master mass communication, including TV ads and other traditional tactics often dismissed as consultant padding. These methods reach voters outside community networks and social media.
Hong's campaign also faced national scrutiny, opposition research, and hostile media, a new reality for leftist candidates. Davis advises the left to improve communication through a hostile media ecosystem and translate principles into concrete, defensible policies that appeal to the median voter.
Hong's Loss Represents Progress for the Left
Despite the defeat, Davis emphasizes that winning about 40% of the vote in a gubernatorial primary is a significant gain. A virtually unknown state legislator outperforming better-known rivals would have been seen as surprisingly positive just a few years ago.
The left has built a base among teachers, nurses, social workers, and other skilled workers who lack capital but possess education and organizational capacity. These workers, central to the postindustrial economy, have increasingly turned to democratic socialism as a political expression. However, they do not yet command a majority of the Democratic party.
Establishment Should Not Rest on Its Laurels
Davis warns that the establishment's victory is not permanent. The left continues to grow, with voters who supported Bernie Sanders in their 20s now entering their 30s and 40s without abandoning their politics. In neighboring Minnesota, progressive Peggy Flanagan won the Senate nomination by a wide margin over a better-funded opponent.
The left remains a minoritarian force, but its ambitions and losses are growing. To turn a substantial minority into a democratic majority, Davis concludes, the left must learn from these lessons and adapt its strategies for statewide and national success.
