Crowley defeats democratic socialist Hong to face Tiffany in Wisconsin governor’s race
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the wide-open Wisconsin governor’s race, Decision Desk HQ projects. Crowley, with support from retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D), pulled off an upset and bested HOng in a blow to the party’s far-left flank amid concerns that such candidates could be a liability for…
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Wisconsin is choosing a new governor because Tony Evers, a Democrat who has held the office since 2019, is retiring. The governor leads the state’s executive branch, signs or vetoes laws, prepares the state budget and oversees many public services.
David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive, the elected leader of Wisconsin’s most populous county. Francesca Hong is a Democratic state lawmaker from Madison who identifies as a democratic socialist, a political tradition that supports a larger role for government in areas such as healthcare, housing and workers’ rights.
The general election will decide who runs Wisconsin’s state government for the next four years. Wisconsin is often closely divided between Democrats and Republicans, so its statewide races can have national political significance as well as affecting state policy.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Crowley’s victory may see it as a case for choosing a broadly experienced, coalition-building Democrat in a competitive statewide race. They may argue that his record running Wisconsin’s largest county, together with Tony Evers’s backing, gives him stronger credentials to appeal beyond the party’s most progressive voters and to defeat Republican opponent Eric Tiffany. Their priority is retaining the governorship through a candidate they believe can unite urban, suburban and moderate voters.
The case against
Supporters of Hong may argue that her democratic socialist platform offered a clearer response to voters’ concerns about housing costs, healthcare, wages and economic inequality. They may contend that treating left-wing candidates as electoral liabilities discounts constituencies seeking more ambitious change and risks leaving working-class voters disengaged. Their priority is a party that offers substantive economic reform rather than adapting its agenda chiefly to perceived general-election caution.
More coverage
- The Hill — Crowley defeats Hong in nail-biter Wisconsin governor primary: 5 takeaways
- NPR — In Wisconsin, David Crowley defeats Francesca Hong in Democratic primary for governor