Wisconsin voters are casting ballots today in a Democratic primary for governor that has become a test of how far left the party is willing to go in a swing state where election margins are often razor-thin. Democratic socialist Francesca Hong, a state lawmaker and former restaurant owner, has led polls in the race to replace Gov. Tony Evers, who declined to seek a third term.
The primary features four remaining candidates: Hong, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys, and Joel Brennan, a former top aide to Evers. The race has grown increasingly chaotic in recent weeks, with candidates dropping out and the state’s outgoing governor throwing his backing behind Crowley in a last-minute effort to stop Hong’s momentum.
Hong, 37, has campaigned on what she calls “permanent affordability,” promising free school lunches for all students, subsidized child care, and a $20 minimum wage. She would pay for her plans by legalizing marijuana and raising taxes on the wealthy. According to the Washington Post, she has also promised to put a hold on building data centers and set up public grocery stores, capturing grassroots devotion in the process.
Crowley, 40, is pitching a comparatively modest agenda focused on his record running Wisconsin’s largest county and his service in the state legislature. He wants to expand work apprenticeships, cut regulations for entrepreneurs, and invest in housing, health care, schools, and child care. Gov. Evers, who initially declined to endorse in the race, threw his weight behind Crowley on July 18, saying he wanted to position the party for success in November.
Hong has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks for past social media posts describing Thanksgiving as a colonizer holiday and calling for its cancellation. At a campaign event Monday near Madison, she distanced herself from those posts, telling supporters she had learned that “you have some hot takes — sometimes bad takes — on Twitter, and I let my feelings out into the world,” according to the Washington Post.
The Democratic primary has thinned significantly from its initial field of seven candidates. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, the Democrats’ 2022 nominee for Senate, dropped out as Hong’s campaign surged. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez suspended her run after her campaign finance filings were found to contain inaccuracies and she had far less money on hand than she had claimed. Crowley initially exited the race to back Rodriguez but jumped back in after her departure.
The winner of today’s primary will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has Trump’s endorsement and faces only token primary opposition. Wisconsin’s races are often decided by one percentage point or less, making the choice of nominee consequential for Democrats’ chances in November. The state has not had full Democratic control of state government since 2010.
Democratic socialists have won primaries across the country this year, particularly in solidly Democratic cities and districts. A Hong victory would set up a general election test of whether an avowed progressive can win in a swing state, following similar races in neighboring Michigan and elsewhere. Gov. Evers said Monday he did not think Hong could win against Tiffany but pledged to campaign with her if she secures the nomination because he believes Tiffany would be the “worst governor in the state’s history.”
Sources
- The Washington Post — Hong’s polling lead, campaign platform, and scrutiny over social media posts
- PBS News — Crowley’s re-entry into the race, Evers’ endorsement, and Democratic primary dynamics
- Ballotpedia — Candidate list, primary date, and historical context on Evers’ 2022 primary victory
- Marquette Law School Faculty Blog — Historical context on Wisconsin’s last competitive Democratic primary
