David Crowley wins Wisconsin governor primary after late surge

David Crowley, the Milwaukee county executive, secured a surprise victory in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, narrowly defeating Francesca Hong in a race that went down to the wire. Crowley had re-entered the race late in the cycle after initially withdrawing, gaining a crucial endorsement from outgoing Governor Tony Evers.

Hong, a chef and former restaurant owner, had been considered a front-runner by some polls. Her platform focused on universal childcare, free school meals, and a moratorium on new data center construction. However, recent days saw her campaign hampered by past statements, including a tweet calling to cancel Thanksgiving and previous support for defunding the police.

Crowley's campaign emphasized electability, positioning himself as the stronger candidate to face Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in the general election. Tiffany, an ardent Donald Trump supporter who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, voted against certifying the 2020 election results.

The Wisconsin primary served as the latest test for the progressive wing of the Democratic party in the Midwest. This follows similar contests in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, and in Minnesota, where voters were choosing between a moderate and a progressive candidate for the Senate.

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We knew the stakes were too high for me to sit on the sideline, and that we need the best candidate, not just with executive leadership, but somebody who has a proven track record of getting things done. And that’s what voters want. They want someone they can trust. And that’s why we got back into this race.