Crowley Edges Out Hong in Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Crowley Edges Out Hong in Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Politics

David Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive, narrowly defeated state Assemblywoman Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary on August 4, 2026, earning the endorsement of Governor Tony Evers and positioning himself as the party’s more electable candidate in the battleground state. Earlier in the campaign, Hong, a self-identified democratic socialist, had led the crowded primary and maintained a double-digit poll lead, while progressive groups rallied behind her and Republican-linked ads painted her as too liberal. The race reflected a growing ideological split within the Wisconsin Democratic Party, with progressives and moderates vying for the nomination, a dynamic echoed in simultaneous primaries in Minnesota and other Midwestern states.

Actors

Francesca Hong David Crowley Tony Evers Sara Rodriguez Mandela Barnes Donald Trump Tom Tiffany Right Direction Wisconsin Angie Craig Peggy Flanagan Chris Van Hollen Tina Smith Ned Lamont Phil Scott

Locations

Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Minnesota Twin Cities, Minnesota Connecticut Vermont

Articles

August 17, 2026
1 total
Democratic Primary Upset Highlights Debate Over Progressive Messaging
Democratic Primary Upset Highlights Debate Over Progressive Messaging

Slate Magazine • 17 Aug 09:40

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated state Assemblywoman Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary, prompting discussion among Democrats about the effectiveness of recent progressive rhetoric.

Credibility 58% Manip. 44% Left
August 13, 2026
1 total
Polls and prediction markets miss Wisconsin and Michigan primary outcomes
Polls and prediction markets miss Wisconsin and Michigan primary outcomes

CNBC • 13 Aug 12:30

Recent Democratic primaries in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota showed large discrepancies between public polls, prediction-market odds and actual results, highlighting challenges for forecasters ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
August 12, 2026
8 total
Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary sees David Crowley narrowly defeat Francesca Hong
Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary sees David Crowley narrowly defeat Francesca Hong

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • 12 Aug 18:34

County Executive David Crowley won the Democratic primary for governor by a margin of less than half a percentage point, overturning early polls that had favored state representative Francesca Hong.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
David Crowley wins tight Wisconsin Democratic primary, setting up race against Trump-aligned Rep. Tom Tiffany
David Crowley wins tight Wisconsin Democratic primary, setting up race against Trump-aligned Rep. Tom Tiffany

AP News • 12 Aug 18:08

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary and will face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a staunch Trump supporter, in the Wisconsin governor's race.

Credibility 72% Manip. 35% Center
Democrats push for change as primary upsets unseat incumbents
Democrats push for change as primary upsets unseat incumbents

AP News • 12 Aug 16:55

Recent primaries in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Connecticut saw progressive and younger challengers defeat established Democratic incumbents, signaling voter appetite for generational turnover rather than a clear ideological shift.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Moderate Democrat David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary Over Francesca Hong
Moderate Democrat David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary Over Francesca Hong

nytimes.com • 12 Aug 11:50

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated state representative Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor, securing the endorsement of Governor Tony Evers and positioning himself as the party's more electable candidate in the battleground state.

Credibility 78% Manip. 30% Center
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Fox News • 12 Aug 07:42

David Crowley defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, positioning him to face Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in the November election.

Credibility 68% Manip. 45% Right
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Wins Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

NBC News • 12 Aug 07:39

David Crowley narrowly defeated state legislator Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor, securing 39.8% of the vote to Hong's 39.4% and setting up a general-election contest against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Center
Progressives Win Key Upper Midwest Primaries as Wisconsin Remains Decisive
Progressives Win Key Upper Midwest Primaries as Wisconsin Remains Decisive

foxnews.com • 12 Aug 04:06

Progressive candidates secured nominations in Minnesota, while a Democratic socialist seeks the governorship in Wisconsin, where the primary outcome will test the left's momentum in a swing state.

Credibility 68% Manip. 55% Right
Crowley holds narrow lead over Hong in Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary
Crowley holds narrow lead over Hong in Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary

CNN • 12 Aug 03:46

With about 87% of precincts reported, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leads state Assemblymember Francesca Hong by roughly half a percentage point in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.

Credibility 71% Manip. 10% Center
August 11, 2026
8 total
Primary contests across several states see high voter turnout and candidate pushes
Primary contests across several states see high voter turnout and candidate pushes

Fox News • 11 Aug 17:25

Primary elections were held Tuesday in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Vermont and special races in South Carolina and Alabama, with candidates urging voters amid record absentee ballot submissions.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Democratic and Republican primaries in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Carolina draw national attention
Democratic and Republican primaries in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Carolina draw national attention

CBS News • 11 Aug 16:59

Primaries in six states on Tuesday feature competitive races for governor in Wisconsin, a Senate seat in Minnesota and a special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota highlight ideological split
Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota highlight ideological split

AP News • 11 Aug 13:39

In Tuesday's primaries, progressive state Rep. Francesca Hong leads the Democratic race for Wisconsin governor, while centrist Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan seeks the Minnesota Senate nomination, underscoring a growing left-right divide within the party.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
Progressives and establishment Democrats clash in Wisconsin governor and Minnesota Senate primaries
Progressives and establishment Democrats clash in Wisconsin governor and Minnesota Senate primaries

The Guardian • 11 Aug 10:44

Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota pit progressive candidates against centrist rivals, highlighting an ideological split within the party ahead of the November elections.

Credibility 71% Manip. 32% Center
Democratic socialist leads Wisconsin governor primary as establishment candidate reenters race
Democratic socialist leads Wisconsin governor primary as establishment candidate reenters race

The Guardian • 11 Aug 10:15

State lawmaker Francesca Hong tops a four-candidate Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, while former Milwaukee County executive David Crowley rejoined the contest, framing the race around electability ahead of the November general election.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Left
Midwest Primaries Test Progressive Influence in Wisconsin and Minnesota Races
Midwest Primaries Test Progressive Influence in Wisconsin and Minnesota Races

NPR • 11 Aug 09:00

Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota spotlight the clash between progressive and moderate candidates, while Republicans field a mix of establishment and Trump-aligned contenders.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Center
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong challenges establishment in Wisconsin governor primary
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong challenges establishment in Wisconsin governor primary

AP News • 11 Aug 04:00

State Assembly member Francesca Hong, a self-identified democratic socialist, is competing against the party-backed candidate in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor, while the winner will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the November election.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Progressive and establishment Democrats vie for nominations in Wisconsin governor and Minnesota Senate primaries
Progressive and establishment Democrats vie for nominations in Wisconsin governor and Minnesota Senate primaries

PBS Wisconsin • 11 Aug 01:15

In Wisconsin and Minnesota, progressive candidates are challenging establishment-backed rivals ahead of Aug. 11 primaries, while Republicans invest in the contests to influence outcomes.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
August 10, 2026
3 total
Democratic rivals largely refrain from attacking Wisconsin Gov. candidate Francesca Hong ahead of primary
Democratic rivals largely refrain from attacking Wisconsin Gov. candidate Francesca Hong ahead of primary

NBC News • 10 Aug 21:00

Francesca Hong has maintained a double-digit poll lead in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, facing limited direct criticism from fellow Democrats while a Republican-linked group has run ads labeling her too liberal.

Credibility 71% Manip. 12% Center
Progressive Francesca Hong Leads Chaotic Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
Progressive Francesca Hong Leads Chaotic Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

The Guardian • 10 Aug 13:00

State Assemblymember Francesca Hong has emerged as the front-runner in Wisconsin's crowded Democratic primary for governor, despite criticism from party insiders and attacks on her past social-media posts.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
Progressive Candidates Push Ahead in Wisconsin Governor and Minnesota Senate Primaries
Progressive Candidates Push Ahead in Wisconsin Governor and Minnesota Senate Primaries

AP News • 10 Aug 04:54

Democratic socialists and progressives are intensifying their campaigns in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary and Minnesota’s U.S. Senate primary as both states head to the ballot on Tuesday.

Credibility 78% Manip. 27% Center

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