Wisconsin Democratic Primary for Governor Sees Tight Race

In Wisconsin, the Democratic primary for governor showed a tight race early Wednesday. According to NBC News’ Decision Desk, state Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley were separated by mere hundreds of votes.

This primary was unexpectedly competitive. Before election night, many Democrats did not anticipate such a close contest, given the dramatic campaign featuring twists and notable events.

Competing Candidates

Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, initially had little recognition when her campaign began. However, she managed to lead public polls, drawing national interest as Wisconsin is a critical battleground state.

David Crowley withdrew from the race a month prior due to initial difficulties but re-entered with the backing of outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Crowley gained momentum with this endorsement, aiming to position himself as the most viable candidate against Republican Tom Tiffany in a broader election.

Strong Campaigning

Gov. Evers supported Crowley, engaging in campaigning across the state to boost his visibility. Pro-Crowley groups reinforced this support with television ads emphasizing Crowley’s electability.

Alli Plummer from Madison expressed her confidence in Crowley due to his perceived electability against Tom Tiffany. However, opinions varied, as seen with Shawn Bass, who supported Hong for her advocacy on universal healthcare and childcare.

Key Developments in the Primary

The primary featured unexpected changes. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes exited the race amid financial issues and other factors. Both Rodriguez and Barnes had captured notable percentages of support before withdrawing.

State Sen. Kelda Roys stood as the third-place candidate, securing nearly 8% of the vote. In Dane County, a crucial area for liberals and the districts of Roys and Hong, Roys took about 11%.

“A losing candidate in Wisconsin can request a recount if the margin is within 1%. For margins of 0.25% or less, the state covers the recount cost. Otherwise, the candidate pays.”

Republican Opposition

Tom Tiffany emerged as the Republican nominee. During his appearance on Fox News, he criticized Hong, referring to her approach as “extreme Madison socialism.” In his victory speech, he pledged to maintain the ‘Wisconsin way of life.’

Reporters Adam Wollner, Shaquille Brewster, and Kailani Koenig contributed. Wollner, based in Washington, D.C., covers state politics and policy, often focusing on themes intersecting with national trends, including reproductive and voting rights. As a Milwaukee native, he takes pride in covering Wisconsin political stories.