David Crowley has narrowly won Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor, defeating the more left-wing Francesca Hong in a result that interrupts recent successes for insurgent progressive candidates across the US. The centrist Milwaukee County executive will face Republican congressman Tom Tiffany in November, in a contest likely to be closely watched because Wisconsin is politically competitive and the midterm elections could affect control of Congress.

Crowley’s late return to the race, backed by current governor Tony Evers, helped overturn expectations that Hong would win. Hong, a state assemblywoman who sought to become Wisconsin’s first democratic socialist governor, faced scrutiny over past comments on police funding and Thanksgiving; she conceded after the projection. Tiffany, endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the Republican primary easily and is campaigning on lower taxes, support for farmers and healthcare.