Grassroots Progressives Challenge Corporate Democrats in Wisconsin and Minnesota Primaries
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In Wisconsin and Minnesota, bold progressive candidates are taking on establishment-backed Democrats entrenched in corporate interests, as Republicans pour money into the races to manipulate outcomes.
Progressive candidates are ramping up people-powered campaigns for Wisconsin governor and Minnesota U.S. Senate as the Aug. 11 primaries approach, putting establishment Democratic leaders on notice. In Wisconsin, democratic socialist Francesca Hong is challenging the party machine in a four-way Democratic primary that includes Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who was swiftly endorsed by Governor Tony Evers after other contenders were pushed aside. Crowley and Evers, representing the status quo, have been making appearances across the state in a last-ditch effort to secure establishment control before ballots are cast.
"I feel like we caught lightning in a bottle," Crowley said, addressing party loyalists in Madison, signaling the establishment's desperation to maintain its grip.
Meanwhile, Republican groups have funneled millions into cynical ad campaigns, attempting to smear Hong by comparing her to President Donald Trump and highlighting her unapologetically progressive positions. These ads, however, may backfire, as Republicans hope to face Hong in the general election, seeing her as less beholden to corporate interests than Crowley. Evers, clinging to the establishment line, insisted that Crowley is the only hope to defeat Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, warning that a Tiffany victory would be a disaster akin to electing Trump as governor.
"We’re going to win this thing," Evers declared at a rally in Madison, doubling down on establishment talking points.
Hong, rallying her supporters, called for unity to defeat Tiffany and expressed willingness to work with Evers after the primary, emphasizing the need to overcome corporate influence in the party.
In Minnesota, the Democratic Senate primary has become a battleground between moderate Rep. Angie Craig, backed by corporate donors, and progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. The contest comes amid outrage over immigration enforcement abuses in the state, including the tragic deaths of two individuals during a federal operation in Minneapolis. Craig, while criticizing corporate money in politics, has herself benefited from establishment support, while Flanagan, joined by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, has been outspoken about the corrupting role of big-money interests across both parties.
"It is big corporations, it’s special interests who are putting their thumb on the scale in our elections across the country," Flanagan said, calling out the rigged system.
Governor Tim Walz has refused to endorse either Senate candidate, though his wife has openly campaigned with Craig, further exposing establishment bias. The primary will decide whether the Democratic nominee to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith will be a true progressive or another corporate-backed moderate, with the winner expected to lead in November.
Both primaries are awash in outside money, as Republicans aggressively try to meddle in Democratic contests, hoping to undermine progressive momentum and protect their own interests in the general elections.