Far-left streamer Hasan Piker issued a stark warning that the Democratic establishment will increase its efforts to undermine socialist candidates after state Rep. Francesca Hong lost the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Piker argued that the establishment, no longer underestimating the progressive movement, will now proactively work to thwart insurgent candidates.

"It will be more difficult, though, because the establishment will not underestimate us. It will continue to undermine us, but they will not underestimate us," Piker stated during his livestream. "So, the knives will be out."

Piker, who had previously appeared with Hong and other progressive figures at a campaign rally, characterized Hong's loss as a bellwether for socialists aiming to build on recent primary successes.

Francesca Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), had garnered support from notable figures such as Reps. Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna, as well as former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner. However, Crowley ultimately secured the nomination after re-entering the race with the endorsement of retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and support from various labor and local political organizations.

Piker suggested that while Hong's loss was not the worst possible outcome, Crowley was still favored to defeat Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in the general election. "Crowley still, if he wins, is going to defeat Tom Tiffany. And that's a good thing. OK, I stand on that," Piker said.

The Wisconsin primary results were delayed until Wednesday morning due to what election officials described as "human error" in vote counting in Milwaukee County. An election worker reportedly pushed the wrong button, causing five memory sticks to contain audit logs instead of election results.

In response to Piker's comments, RNC national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre called for Democrats to disavow the streamer, labeling him a "Hamas-hugging radical with a long history of threatening rape and violence." Television personality Spencer Pratt also commented on the situation, mocking the reaction of Piker and the DSA.

Representatives for Hong, Crowley, and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.