In a stunning reversal of fortune, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has secured the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin, narrowly defeating democratic socialist Francesca Hong. With 98 percent of the vote counted, Crowley holds a slim lead of 39.8 percent to Hong’s 39.4 percent. The result serves as a dramatic comeback for Crowley, who had actually dropped out of the race just a month ago after failing to gain early momentum. He re-entered the contest shortly thereafter with the crucial backing of outgoing Governor Tony Evers, whose endorsement helped frame Crowley as the more viable option for the general election.
The defeat is a significant blow to the progressive wing of the party, as Hong had entered the final stretch of the campaign leading in several polls. However, her candidacy became plagued by questions regarding her electability in a swing state, particularly following reports on her previous calls to abolish the police and eliminate the U.S. Senate. While she attempted to walk back some of these positions and rallied supporters alongside figures like Representative Ilhan Omar, she notably lacked endorsements from heavyweights like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Meanwhile, Crowley leveraged a massive financial advantage, spending roughly four million dollars on advertising compared to less than half a million spent by Hong’s camp.
The path to victory was far from smooth for either candidate in what proved to be one of the most volatile primaries in recent memory. Other potential contenders, including Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, both exited the race unexpectedly due to various complications. Even Crowley faced his own hurdles when old social media posts containing inflammatory language surfaced shortly after his return to the race. Despite this, many risk averse voters ultimately sided with him over Hong, fearing that her ideological purity might alienate moderate voters in November.
Crowley now prepares for a high stakes showdown against Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, who cruised through his own primary with strong support from Donald Trump. This matchup sets up one of the most anticipated gubernatorial races in the country this autumn as Democrats fight to maintain control of the governor’s mansion since 2019 and attempt to regain ground in the state legislature. For now, Crowley celebrates an unlikely victory that proves how quickly political tides can turn in a deeply divided electorate.
