Francesca Hong leads Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor today with commanding polling support, poised to become the nation’s first self-described democratic socialist governor if she wins the nomination. The 37-year-old state representative and former chef has surged ahead in recent surveys, with a State Navigate poll released July 28 showing her at 44 percent support among likely voters, nearly 30 percentage points ahead of her nearest competitor.
Hong is competing against three other Democrats in the August 11 primary: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former state representative Kelda Roys, and state senator Joel Brennan. The race has narrowed to a two-candidate contest between Hong and Crowley, who has received the endorsement of outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
Evers announced in July 2025 that he would not seek a third term, creating the first open race for Wisconsin governor in a generation. This opened the field to a wide array of candidates, but Hong’s message has resonated most powerfully with Democratic primary voters. According to a Marquette Law School poll conducted July 29, Hong led with 46 percent support, with Crowley at 7 percent and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes at 16 percent.
Hong, who was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020, is the state’s first Asian American state legislator. Before entering politics, she worked as a chef and restaurant owner in Madison. She has campaigned as a progressive fighter for working families, calling for a moratorium on data center construction and emphasizing policies aimed at making life more affordable for ordinary Wisconsinites.
The democratic socialist movement has gained traction in recent years, with several DSA-backed candidates winning primary races in 2024 and 2025. William Lawrence, a Democratic Socialists of America member, won a Michigan Democratic primary with 43 percent in August 2026, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, also DSA-backed, won his Democratic primary in June 2025. Hong’s potential victory would represent a significant moment for democratic socialists seeking statewide office in a battleground state that President Donald Trump won twice.
Evers has said he would be “helpful” if Hong wins the nomination, despite his earlier endorsement of Crowley. “Of course we’ll be helpful,” Evers told the news outlet UpFront, adding that Hong is “a Democrat” and that his focus is on defeating the Republican nominee in the general election.
The general election in November will pit the Democratic nominee against Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, who is the likely Republican nominee. Recent polling suggests the race will be competitive, with a Marquette poll showing Tiffany leading Hong by 3 percentage points in a general election matchup, though the margin narrows significantly among voters who say they are certain to vote.
Sources
- State Navigate — July 28 poll showing Hong at 44 percent support, Crowley at 15 percent
- Marquette Law School — July 29 poll showing Hong at 46 percent, Crowley at 7 percent, Barnes at 16 percent; general election polling
- PBS Wisconsin — Reporting on the four-candidate Democratic primary field and Hong’s commanding lead
- The Guardian — Profile of Hong’s surge in the final weeks of the primary
- NBC News — Reporting on Evers’ decision not to seek reelection in 2025
- News Nation Now — Analysis of Hong as democratic socialist candidate and potential first socialist governor
- 19th News — Background on Hong’s age, background, and historic potential as first democratic socialist governor
- Wisconsin Examiner — Voter guide information on Hong’s policy positions including data center moratorium
- WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Reporting on Evers’ endorsement of Crowley and his statement about supporting Hong if she wins
- News Nation Now — Reporting on William Lawrence’s Michigan primary win and DSA-backed candidates
- Wikipedia — Hong’s background as first Asian American Wisconsin state legislator, chef and business owner
