Democratic Socialist Champion Francesca Hong Leads Wisconsin Governor Primary as Establishment Scrambles
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Progressive state lawmaker Francesca Hong surges ahead in the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, while establishment-backed David Crowley reenters the race, centering the debate on electability and the fight against entrenched interests.
On Tuesday, Wisconsin Democrats have a chance to break free from establishment politics as state assemblymember Francesca Hong, a proud democratic socialist, leads a four-way primary for governor. Hong, a former chef and restaurant owner from Madison, was elected to the Assembly in 2020 and has inspired voters with bold policies like universal childcare, free school meals, and a moratorium on new data-center construction to protect communities from corporate exploitation.
The party establishment, unwilling to cede control, has rallied behind former Milwaukee County executive David Crowley. Backed by incumbent Governor Tony Evers, Crowley reentered the race on July 18 after a brief withdrawal, with Evers and Crowley touring the state to push a narrative of 'electability'—a familiar tactic used to undermine transformative candidates. They argue Crowley is better positioned to defeat Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary and represents the reactionary wing of the party.
Other candidates include state senator Kelda Roys and former state administration official Joel Brennan. Earlier, Sara Rodriguez was forced out by campaign-finance obstacles, and former lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes withdrew in late July, highlighting the barriers progressives face within the party.
A late-July Marquette University Law School poll showed Hong maintaining her lead, though establishment forces hope undecided voters will swing the race. Hong entered the race to deliver real change for working Wisconsinites, rejecting the status quo that has failed so many.
The Democratic nominee will face Tiffany, a hardline Trump loyalist who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election, in a November contest that could finally give Democrats the legislative power needed to enact progressive reforms and challenge right-wing dominance in Wisconsin.