Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary on Tuesday is shaping up to be the latest electoral test of the Democratic Party's direction, as the race for governor features a contest between Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, endorsed by Gov. Tony Evers, and democratic socialist Francesca Hong.
This primary follows a pattern seen in other recent contests, including Michigan's U.S. Senate primary where progressive Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens. Voters in Minnesota are also set to decide a U.S. Senate primary featuring a centrist and a progressive candidate on the same day.
Crowley, who initially withdrew from the race but re-entered with Evers' backing, is seeking to counter a trend of outsider candidates gaining traction. He views El-Sayed's narrow victory in Michigan as a potential indicator of success for his campaign. "We’re going to focus on those undecided voters," Crowley stated.
Some within the party acknowledge the internal divide. Sarah Miller, a software engineer from Madison, described the struggle between progressives and moderates as "real," but her primary concern is the general election outcome in November. She expressed doubts about Hong's ability to win against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, calling her a "very, very weak candidate" whose popularity might be "a little bit of a mirage."
A Marquette University Law School poll conducted in late July, before former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes withdrew, indicated Hong held a significant lead. The primary field was further complicated by the withdrawals of Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and Barnes, both of whom remain on the ballot, with votes already cast for them unable to be changed. "We've created a mess," remarked Michael Gebben, a Democratic voter who had cast an absentee ballot for Rodriguez.
As Crowley campaigns across the state, Hong has faced scrutiny over past social media statements, including remarks about canceling Thanksgiving, disparaging Valentine's Day, and calls to defund the police. Hong has since clarified or backtracked on some of these statements, stating she does not support abolishing the police. Republican Tom Tiffany has used Hong's comments to frame the race as a choice between "chaos and common sense," contrasting it with his own platform. Evers' spokesperson noted that "Wisconsinites can’t afford for November to come down to the most extreme things Tom Tiffany and Francesca Hong have said online" when explaining the governor's endorsement of Crowley.
Despite receiving Evers' endorsement, Crowley maintains he is not an "establishment Democrat," particularly as he seeks to become Wisconsin's first Black governor. Hong's supporters, like Chris Vestin, have dismissed concerns about her electability as reminiscent of debates surrounding the 2016 presidential election, suggesting such arguments can be rooted in racism or sexism. Vestin criticized Evers' endorsement of Crowley as "counterproductive," stating "Establishment Democrats want to take the choice away."
The stakes in Wisconsin extend beyond the gubernatorial race. Democrats aim to retain the governorship and gain control of both chambers of the state Legislature, a feat not achieved since 2010. Republicans previously enacted significant conservative policies during their full control from 2011 to 2018. Crowley emphasized the importance of the top of the ticket, telling supporters, "We need a trifecta. And who is at the top of the ticket matters."