MADISON, Wis., Aug 12 – David Crowley has won the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin, narrowly defeating progressive candidate Francesca Hong in a closely watched contest that exposed divisions within the party over how best to compete in a crucial battleground state.
Crowley, a more moderate Democrat and Milwaukee County executive, is seeking to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor. He presented himself throughout the campaign as a candidate capable of appealing beyond the Democratic base and defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in November. Tiffany has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
The contest was decided by a margin of less than one percentage point, making it one of the closest Democratic statewide primaries in Wisconsin in recent years. Hong conceded after the results became clear, removing the possibility of a recount.
Crowley’s victory comes after an unpredictable primary campaign in which several prominent Democrats entered and exited the race. It also marks an important test for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, which has scored notable victories in other parts of the country but has struggled to translate that momentum into a decisive breakthrough in a politically competitive state such as Wisconsin.
Crowley did not speak to supporters Tuesday night, but his campaign said he would turn his attention toward uniting Democrats and preparing for the November contest.
“Now, David is focused on bringing people together, earning the support of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and anyone who believes Wisconsin is at its best when we work together and deliver results,” Crowley campaign manager Garren Randolph said in a statement.
Crowley Defeats Hong in Closely Fought Primary
Hong’s campaign had hoped to build on a series of recent victories by progressive candidates. Her campaign drew attention from voters frustrated with the Democratic establishment and attracted supporters who wanted the party to adopt a more aggressive approach on issues including the cost of living, health care, child care, immigration and corporate influence in politics.
The 37-year-old former line cook and single mother positioned herself as an outsider who could challenge traditional Democratic politics. She also became a prominent figure on social media, where her outspoken style and willingness to use profanity helped her connect with younger and more liberal voters.
Despite the loss, Hong came remarkably close to defeating Crowley. Her performance demonstrated that a progressive candidate can compete seriously in a statewide Democratic primary in Wisconsin, even without endorsements from some of the country’s most prominent progressive politicians.
Hong told supporters late Tuesday that the campaign had created a political movement that would continue beyond the primary.
“We have built something that will change politics forever,” Hong said as the results remained unresolved. She added that she believed her supporters were prepared to continue fighting for their political goals.
Her campaign manager Becky Cooper later said the campaign was proud of its effort and argued that it had made a meaningful contribution to the progressive movement.
Crowley’s narrow victory, however, reflects the argument that many mainstream Democrats had made during the campaign: that a more centrist candidate would have a better chance of winning over independent and moderate voters in November.
That calculation could prove significant in Wisconsin, where statewide elections are frequently decided by small margins and independent voters can play an important role.
The result also came with the possibility of a recount. Because Crowley’s margin was below one percentage point, Hong could have sought a recount. However, Wisconsin’s recount rules meant her campaign would have been required to cover the cost because the margin was greater than 0.25 percentage points. Her decision to concede effectively ended that possibility.
Progressive Movement Faces Setback but Retains Momentum
Hong’s defeat is a setback for progressive Democrats, but it does not necessarily signal the end of the movement’s recent rise.
Progressive candidates have gained significant attention in several Democratic contests across the country. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed advanced in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, while in New York City, several progressive and democratic socialist candidates won competitive congressional primaries and defeated Democratic incumbents.
Those victories have been driven by a broad sense of frustration among Democratic voters. Issues such as the high cost of living, campaign spending, U.S. military support for Israel, immigration enforcement under the Trump administration and the affordability of basic services have become increasingly important within the party.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, two of the best-known figures on the national progressive left, did not endorse either Crowley or Hong in the Wisconsin race. Their absence underscored the fact that the progressive movement does not operate as a single political organization, with different candidates and groups taking different approaches to individual races.
Hong also faced political challenges that went beyond the usual ideological debate. During the campaign, she was forced to address earlier support for defunding the police. At the primary debate, she said she would not support cutting funding for law enforcement.
She also faced criticism over old social media posts in which she questioned traditional celebrations such as Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Hong later described those remarks as attempts at humor rather than positions she intended to make central to her political platform.
The controversy provided Republicans and more moderate Democrats with material to argue that she would have faced difficulties in a general election against Tiffany.
Crowley, by contrast, emphasized electability and governing experience. His campaign repeatedly portrayed him as someone who could appeal to voters outside the Democratic base, particularly in a state where Republicans remain competitive.
Democrats Turn Focus to Tiffany and November Election
With the primary over, Democrats are expected to shift their attention toward defeating Tiffany and defending the governor’s office.
The party hopes to take advantage of dissatisfaction with Trump in Wisconsin while also seeking to win control of both chambers of the state Legislature. A Democratic victory across the statewide and legislative races would give the party full control of Wisconsin state government for the first time since 2010.
Both Crowley and Hong had argued during the final days of the primary that Democratic voters would ultimately unite behind the nominee.
Crowley said Sunday that the larger objective was preventing what he described as a “MAGA extremist” from taking control of the governor’s office.
That argument was echoed by some Democratic voters who supported Crowley because they questioned whether Hong could defeat Tiffany in a general election.
David Zimmerman, a 79-year-old retired industrial engineering professor from Madison, said he voted for Crowley because he was concerned about Hong’s ability to win in November.
“I think she’s going to have trouble winning,” Zimmerman said.
The primary itself was the latest chapter in a chaotic Democratic race. Gov. Tony Evers’ decision not to seek a third term created an open contest that initially attracted seven Democratic candidates.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez appeared positioned to consolidate support among establishment Democrats before leaving the race amid a campaign finance scandal. Crowley, who had previously withdrawn and endorsed Rodriguez, then reentered the contest with Evers’ backing.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who had been viewed as an early contender after narrowly losing a 2022 U.S. Senate race to Republican Ron Johnson, also withdrew shortly before the primary amid questions surrounding allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Another complication emerged on election night when the reporting of roughly 28,000 absentee ballots from Milwaukee was delayed until early Wednesday. Milwaukee’s election leader said the delay resulted from a human error involving the uploading of election data.
The unusually tight result nevertheless gives Wisconsin Democrats little time to dwell on the primary. Crowley now faces the challenge of bringing together a party that remains divided between its moderate and progressive factions.
Tiffany, a conservative congressman from northern Wisconsin, enters the general election with Trump’s endorsement and a Republican base that remains highly motivated.
For Crowley, the task will be to turn a narrow primary victory into a broad statewide coalition. For Democrats, the November election will offer a test of whether the party can put aside its internal divisions long enough to protect the governor’s office and potentially regain control of state government.