Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary over Democratic Socialists of America-backed Francesca Hong, dealing a setback to the party’s socialist wing after polls had shown Hong entering Election Day with a double-digit advantage.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday, denying the Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate a place on the November ballot despite polling that had portrayed her as the race’s front-runner.
The result gives Crowley, an establishment Democrat with government experience in Milwaukee County, the party’s nomination to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Crowley will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election this fall.
Hong’s loss represents a setback for the socialist faction of the Democratic Party at a time when several candidates aligned with that movement have recently succeeded in Democratic primaries elsewhere.
A Washington Examiner report noted that Hong entered the contest with backing from the Democratic Socialists of America and had been considered the favorite after multiple polls showed her holding a double-digit lead.
The outcome nevertheless went to Crowley.
The figures provided in reporting on the race listed Crowley at 38.9% and Hong at 39.4% while simultaneously identifying Crowley as the declared winner, an apparent numerical inconsistency in the underlying report. The reported result, however, was that Crowley secured the Democratic nomination.
“Her loss on Tuesday contributes to socialists’ difficulty winning in statewide elections. Though the organization has seen huge gains in its influence in the party, Democratic leaders worry about candidates’ strength in the general election,” the Washington Examiner reported.
Crowley benefited from support within Wisconsin’s Democratic establishment, including an endorsement from Evers.
Hong, by contrast, campaigned from the party’s far-left flank and had previously drawn attention for comments attacking capitalism, policing and widely observed American traditions.
She had advocated eliminating or significantly reducing traditional policing and expressed hostility toward capitalism. She also drew criticism for past statements involving race and white Americans.
Hong previously argued that Thanksgiving should effectively have been abandoned centuries ago, describing the holiday as “incredibly painful” for Americans and saying it should have been canceled as far back as 1621.
She also objected publicly to Valentine’s Day and recounted feeling threatened after an “IT bro” at her workplace changed her computer background in 2019 to an image featuring snow and Christmas trees.
One commentary cited in coverage of the race characterized Hong as “hardwired to spew eyebrow-raising opinions.”
Those positions and comments became part of the broader argument over whether candidates identified with the Democratic Party’s socialist wing could translate success in activist circles and legislative districts into statewide victories.
Hong’s defeat came amid continued uncertainty about the Democratic Party’s direction following Kamala Harris’ decisive loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and the absence of a clear national party leader afterward.
Her campaign had nevertheless appeared well positioned heading into Tuesday. Support from the Democratic Socialists of America and favorable polling reinforced expectations that she could become the latest progressive candidate to defeat a more establishment-oriented Democrat.
Instead, Crowley emerged with the nomination.
The result was highlighted in one X post circulated after the primary, as commentators focused on the contrast between Hong’s polling advantage and the ultimate outcome.
A second X post associated with coverage of the race likewise amplified the unexpected result.
The Washington Examiner noted that although socialist-aligned candidates have increased their influence within Democratic politics, statewide elections have remained more difficult terrain.
That concern has taken on greater significance as Democratic leaders weigh whether candidates capable of winning ideologically favorable primaries can also prevail among broader general-election electorates.
Wisconsin will now offer a direct test of the alternative approach. Crowley enters the fall campaign with the endorsement of the state’s outgoing Democratic governor and a record in Milwaukee County government, while Tiffany will carry the Republican nomination into one of the country’s closely watched gubernatorial races.
Hong’s defeat, meanwhile, removes from the Wisconsin ballot a candidate who had been expected by polling and progressive activists to become another high-profile representative of the Democratic Party’s socialist movement.
Original article
Comments