Wisconsin Governor Primary Becomes Democrats’ Next Progressive-Moderate Test/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary has become the party’s latest battle between progressive energy and establishment-backed appeals to electability. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, endorsed by Gov. Tony Evers, is trying to overtake democratic socialist Francesca Hong after a chaotic series of candidate withdrawals. The winner will face conservative Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in a race critical to Democrats’ hopes of controlling Wisconsin’s government.
Quick Look
- Wisconsin Democrats will select their gubernatorial nominee Tuesday.
- David Crowley is backed by two-term Gov. Tony Evers.
- Crowley faces democratic socialist Francesca Hong.
- Hong held a significant lead in a late-July Marquette University poll.
- More than 112,000 absentee ballots had been returned when the poll was released.
- Crowley withdrew from the race July 8 but reentered 10 days later.
- Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Mandela Barnes ended their campaigns.
- Rodriguez and Barnes remain on the ballot.
- Ballots already cast for withdrawn candidates cannot be changed.
- Hong has faced scrutiny over past social media posts.
- She now says she does not support abolishing the police.
- The winner will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
- Tiffany entered August with 10 times more cash than either leading Democrat.
- Crowley is seeking to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor.
- Hong could become the state’s first woman and first Asian American governor.
- Democrats hope to retain the governorship and flip both legislative chambers.
- Minnesota Democrats will hold a similar progressive-centrist Senate primary Tuesday.
Deep Look
Wisconsin Becomes Democrats’ Next Ideological Test
NEW GLARUS, Wis. — Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary is emerging as the Democratic Party’s next major confrontation between progressives and more moderate candidates.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement, faces democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Tuesday’s primary.
The outcome will provide another indication of whether Democratic voters are prepared to move further left or remain focused on candidates they believe can win competitive general elections.
Madison Voter Prioritizes Winning
Sarah Miller, a 49-year-old software engineer from liberal Madison, considers herself progressive but plans to vote for Crowley.
She has followed the debate over a Democratic “civil war” between the party’s progressive and moderate wings but said her priority is defeating Republicans in November.
Winner Will Face Conservative Republican
The Democratic nominee will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.
Tiffany is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and one of Congress’ most conservative members.
Democrats view the governor’s race as essential to preventing Republicans from regaining unified control of Wisconsin’s government.
Michigan Result Shapes Wisconsin Contest
Wisconsin’s vote comes one week after progressive Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary.
El-Sayed’s victory over the establishment-backed Stevens created a major test for progressives in a critical battleground state.
Crowley said the result encouraged his campaign as it worked to close the gap with Hong.
El-Sayed’s narrow victory “does give me a little bit of hope.”
Outsider Candidates Gain Ground Nationwide
Across the country, voters frustrated with the Democratic establishment have elevated outsider candidates during the 2026 primary season.
Crowley is attempting to resist that national pattern.
He is relying heavily on Evers, one of Wisconsin’s most popular elected officials, to help him win over undecided voters during the campaign’s final days.
Hong Led Late-July Poll
A Marquette University Law School poll conducted in late July showed Hong with a substantial advantage among Democratic primary voters.
The survey was completed before former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes withdrew from the race.
By the time the results were released, voters had already returned more than 112,000 absentee ballots.
Those ballots complicate efforts by Crowley or Hong to consolidate support after other candidates ended their campaigns.
Crowley Leaves and Reenters Race
Crowley’s path through the primary has been unusually complicated.
He withdrew from the race on July 8.
Ten days later, he reentered with Evers’ support after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her candidacy.
Twelve days after Crowley returned, Barnes also withdrew following allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Withdrawn Candidates Remain on Ballot
Rodriguez and Barnes had both been considered potential front-runners.
Their names remain on Tuesday’s ballot, and voters who cast absentee ballots for either candidate cannot change their selections.
Michael Gebben, a 64-year-old Democrat, voted absentee for Rodriguez before she withdrew.
Hong Faces Scrutiny Over Past Posts
As Crowley traveled throughout Wisconsin seeking undecided voters, Hong attempted to address controversies involving her past social media posts.
Hong, a single mother and former restaurant cook, previously called for canceling Thanksgiving because “we should stop celebrating colonialism.”
Hong also repeatedly called for defunding the police.
She has recently clarified or retreated from several of those positions and now says she does not support abolishing law enforcement.
Tiffany has highlighted Hong’s Thanksgiving comments and argued that she wants “to destroy the traditions and culture that unite us.”
The Republican entered August with 10 times more campaign cash than either Hong or Crowley.
He has framed the general election as a choice between chaos and common sense.
Evers Warns Against Extreme Campaign
Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback said the governor endorsed Crowley because he believes the Milwaukee County executive provides a stronger alternative to Tiffany.
Evers Endorsement Energizes Crowley Events
Crowley’s references to Evers’ endorsement drew applause during campaign appearances in New Glarus and Madison.
However, support from popular Democratic governors has not guaranteed victory in other primaries.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Stevens, but the moderate congresswoman narrowly lost to El-Sayed.
Crowley Rejects Establishment Label
Despite his support from Evers and other party leaders, Crowley rejects being described as an establishment Democrat.
He served more than three years in the Wisconsin Legislature and has led Milwaukee County, the state’s largest county, since 2020.
Crowley is seeking to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor.
Hong Supporters Reject Electability Concerns
Hong’s supporters argue that warnings about her ability to win the general election reflect the same thinking that has repeatedly limited progressive candidates.
Chris Vestin, a 54-year-old Hong supporter, compared the debate to the 2016 Democratic presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
Sanders defeated Clinton by 13 percentage points in Wisconsin’s primary that year.
Clinton later lost Wisconsin to Trump in the general election.
Wisconsin Remains Closely Divided
Trump carried Wisconsin in 2016, lost the state in 2020 and won it again in 2024.
That history has intensified arguments about which Democratic candidate would be strongest in November.
Vestin described Evers’ endorsement of Crowley as “counterproductive.”
Minnesota Holds Parallel Democratic Contest
Minnesota Democrats will also decide a closely watched U.S. Senate primary Tuesday.
Moderate Rep. Angie Craig is competing against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
The contest is unfolding after Trump’s aggressive expansion of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Like Wisconsin and Michigan, the race will test whether Democrats prefer a progressive shift or candidates positioned closer to the political center.
Wisconsin Stakes Extend Beyond Governor’s Race
The political stakes may be even higher in Wisconsin.
Winning all three would give the party complete control of state government for the first time since 2010.
Republicans used unified control from 2011 through 2018 to enact major conservative policies, including effectively eliminating collective bargaining for public employees.
Crowley Emphasizes Need for Democratic Trifecta
Crowley told supporters that the gubernatorial nominee would shape Democratic prospects throughout the state.
His campaign argues that a nominee capable of appealing to independents and moderate voters could help Democratic legislative candidates as well as win the governor’s race.
Supporter Predicts Photo Finish
Crowley supporter Lindsey Lee, 61, of Madison, said previously undecided voters appeared to be moving toward the Milwaukee County executive.
He compared the final stage of the campaign to the closing moments of a race.
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