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David Crowley pulls off upset over Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, narrowly defeating progressive Francesca Hong with 39.8% of the vote to her 39.4%, marking a significant upset in the race.
- Crowley had initially dropped out but re-entered the race with the endorsement of outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, benefiting from substantial campaign spending and a message focused on electability against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany.
- Hong, a democratic socialist and state lawmaker, led late polls but faced scrutiny over her past controversial positions and general election viability, and did not receive endorsements from prominent national progressive figures like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- The Republican nominee, Tom Tiffany, backed by former President Donald Trump, won his primary easily and will face Crowley in the general election, a key battleground contest in a closely divided state.
- If elected, Crowley would become Wisconsin's first Black governor, with the race carrying significant implications for control of state government and the 2028 presidential election cycle.
