The recent Wisconsin gubernatorial primary showcased the challenges facing progressive candidates, as democratic socialist Francesca Hong narrowly lost to moderate county executive David Crowley. The contest was widely viewed as a test of the progressive movement's viability beyond urban centers.
The primary was marked by disarray, with two candidates withdrawing amid scandal and Crowley briefly suspending and then rejoining the race. This led to a tightly contested race between establishment Democrats and the party's left wing.
Hong, who campaigned on issues such as universal childcare, free school meals, and opposition to new data centers, faced significant criticism for past controversial statements made during the height of the pandemic. These statements, including a 2020 tweet suggesting the cancellation of Thanksgiving, were highlighted in attack ads funded by both pro-Crowley groups and Republicans.
Despite strong performance in liberal areas like Madison, Hong lost to Crowley in Milwaukee and most rural counties. Democrats turned out in large numbers for the primary.
Analysts suggest that Hong's association with what is termed "Woke 1" – a style of social justice activism prominent in the early 2020s – contributed to her defeat. This strain of activism, characterized by strident and binary discussions of race, class, and social justice, is seen by some on the left as having alienated centrist and working-class voters, including some within minority communities. Slogans such as "defund the police" and calls to abolish prisons are cited as examples of this rhetoric.
While many Democratic voters may agree with the underlying concerns about police reform and the critiques of colonialism, the associated rhetoric proved to be a barrier. Issues like healthcare and inflation have historically held more sway with the broader American electorate than immigration or racial justice.
This shift in voter priorities is influencing political strategy. Candidates like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed have reportedly moderated their stances on issues like police funding. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that the rhetoric used during the pandemic may not be suitable for current political discourse, noting a significant shift in the "Overton window."