David Crowley beats progressive Francesca Hong in Wisconsin gubernatorial primary

Moderate Democrat David Crowley has secured a narrow victory in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary, upsetting the race's perceived frontrunner, democratic socialist Francesca Hong. The win positions Crowley to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the November general election for a crucial governor's seat.

Crowley's campaign faced significant hurdles, including a temporary suspension in July. However, he garnered crucial backing from outgoing two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Conversely, Hong encountered difficulties as past social media posts resurfaced, generating negative press. Crowley's success marks a reversal of the recent trend of progressive candidates winning Democratic primaries in states like Michigan, New York, and Colorado.

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we were going off false data

The race for Wisconsin's governor's mansion is a high-stakes contest, particularly with Gov. Evers opting not to seek reelection. President Trump's narrow victory in the state in 2024 underscores its political significance. The field initially included former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and state lawmaker Francesca Hong.

Crowley initially withdrew from the race in July, endorsing Rodriguez, who was seen as a more establishment figure. However, Rodriguez exited the race days later due to financial concerns. Despite Barnes' past success as a progressive candidate, Hong, positioned further left, had emerged as the frontrunner. Crowley then re-entered the race as a centrist Democrat, citing inaccurate data that influenced his initial decision to withdraw. Barnes subsequently dropped out of the primary, suggesting Hong was the clear nominee, shortly before allegations of misconduct surfaced against him. This left Crowley and Hong as the main contenders.

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it's becoming very clear who the Democratic nominee is going to be