Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor remains too close to call between state legislator Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, with the two separated by less than 1,000 votes as counting continued late Tuesday evening.
With 84 percent of votes tallied, NBC News reported Crowley at 40.5 percent and Hong at 40.0 percent—a margin of just 2,710 votes. The New York Times showed Crowley leading by 0.24 percentage points, while the Washington Post described them as “neck and neck” with 64 percent of votes counted. Both candidates have maintained their election night vigil as officials continue tallying ballots.
Hong, a democratic socialist and the first Asian American elected to the state Assembly, had entered the race as a commanding frontrunner. A State Navigate poll conducted in late July showed her leading with 44 percent support, far ahead of Crowley at 15 percent. The dramatic tightening reflects a last-minute surge by Crowley, who positioned himself as the moderate alternative and secured a crucial endorsement from Governor Tony Evers in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Evers actively campaigned alongside Crowley in the final days, a show of establishment support that appears to have moved moderate and older voters toward the Milwaukee County Executive. According to campaign data released during the race, Crowley led with voters over 65, while Hong maintained her edge among younger Democrats under 46.
The result marks a stunning reversal from Hong’s polling dominance just weeks earlier. The collapse underscores a deep ideological divide within Wisconsin’s Democratic Party, with Hong representing the anti-establishment, progressive wing while Crowley appeals to moderate voters concerned about electability against Republican Tom Tiffany in November’s general election.
Third-place finisher Kelda Roys, a former state legislator, earned 7.6 percent of the vote. The winner of this primary will face Tiffany, the Republican nominee, in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial races this fall. With votes still being counted, the margin may shift as remaining ballots are processed, but the race appeared destined to be decided by a fraction of a percentage point.
Sources
- NBC News — reported vote totals and percentages with 82 percent of votes tallied
- New York Times — live election results showing Crowley’s narrow lead with 84 percent counted
- Washington Post — live results coverage describing the race as neck-and-neck with 64 percent reported
- State Navigate — July 2026 poll showing Hong’s 44 percent lead before the tightening
- CNN — described Hong and Crowley as “locked in a tight contest”
- PBS NewsHour — campaign finance data showing both candidates raised slightly more than $1 million
- Internal news pool — Kelda Roys’ third-place finish with 7.6 percent
