David Crowley edges out Francesca Hong in Wisconsin Democratic primary

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:27:13 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Centrist David Crowley narrowly defeats progressive Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic governor primary, curbing the left‑wing surge.

In a surprise upset, Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor saw centrist candidate David Crowley defeat progressive challenger Francesca Hong, ending a streak of left‑wing victories. Crowley, backed by Milwaukee County’s largest city and state Democratic leaders, secured a narrow lead from the final vote count. The result comes amid heated contests across the U.S., with Minnesota and Connecticut also reflecting fierce intra‑party battles. Meanwhile, Republican Tom Tiffany holds his lead in the GOP primary, setting up a contentious November showdown that will influence GOP and Senate control. The election illustrates the balancing act of moderate versus insurgent factions within the Democratic Party.

David Crowley edges out Francesca Hong in Wisconsin Democratic primary

Centrist nominee David Crowley managed a narrow victory over progressive challenger Francesca Hong, a result that dents a winning streak for left‑wing Democrats across the country. Crowley, the chief executive officer of Milwaukee County, said his campaign prioritised affordable housing, quality schools, good‑paying jobs and broad access to opportunity.

The final vote counts show Crowley outpacing Hong by less than half a percent after almost all votes were tallied, according to CBS projections. The upset comes amid other closely‑watched contests, such as the Minnesota Democratic Senate primary where Peggy Flanagan defeated centrist opponent Angie Craig, and Connecticut’s House race where Luke Bronin ousted long‑time incumbent John Larson.

Crowley’s comeback was unexpected after he had briefly withdrawn in order to support a rival, only to return with the endorsement of incumbent Governor Tony Evers. The GOP field remains dominated by Republican Tom Tiffany, who won his primary by a comfortable margin and is backed by President Donald Trump.

The Wisconsin election represents a microcosm of the broader battle between moderate and insurgent factions within the Democratic Party. As November looms, the state’s outcome will influence not only the governorship but also the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.