The Democratic primaries in Wisconsin witnessed a surprising turn of events on Tuesday. Francesca Hong, widely seen as a frontrunner, faced an unexpected defeat. David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive and the preferred candidate of moderate Democrats, emerged victorious by a slim margin of just over 3,200 votes out of nearly 800,000 total. This result comes after Crowley briefly exited the race but reentered to defeat Hong.
Crowley will compete against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany for the governor’s office in the crucial November elections. The Democratic primary concluded as a whirlwind, with candidates frequently joining and leaving the race. Initially, Hong had secured significant backing from progressive figures and organizations, yet she couldn’t maintain her lead.
“It’s become very clear who our nominee is going to be,” former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes stated before exiting the race, expressing confidence in Hong’s chances at the time.
As the votes came in, controversies from Hong’s past, including her views on defunding the police and canceling Thanksgiving, came back to haunt her campaign. These issues contributed to concerns about the potential impact on the party’s success in November. The lack of endorsement from figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also didn’t help her campaign.
Governor Tony Evers, among others, supported Crowley, bolstering his prospects. With strong support in suburban Milwaukee, Crowley’s narrow win became a reality. Throughout the primary, poll data was limited, although Hong appeared ahead by significant margins at times. Yet, internal divisions within the Democratic Party were evident, with nearly 60 percent of primary voters supporting other candidates.
The Democratic Party faces a challenge in uniting behind Crowley for the general election. Efforts to bridge these divides began with discussions over breakfast among Crowley, his running mate Sara Godlewski, and Democratic leaders. The race against Tiffany, a staunch conservative, will demand high voter turnout.
Progressive forces had another reason to be optimistic as Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan secured a win against a moderate opponent. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, Luke Bronin toppled Rep. John Larson, suggesting a desire for renewed energy within the party.
These results contribute to the complex dynamic between the Democratic Party’s progressive and moderate wings as the primary season continues.
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