David Crowley Secures Democratic Nomination for Wisconsin Governor

Moderate Democrat David Crowley has won his party’s primary for Wisconsin governor in a surprising victory over Francesca Hong. CBS News projects that Crowley, despite a challenging campaign, will now face GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany in the November election. Initially, Crowley briefly suspended his campaign in July, but enjoyed support from two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Meanwhile, Hong experienced difficulties related to old social media posts.

Crowley’s triumph breaks a recent pattern of progressive successes in Democratic primaries in states like Michigan, New York, and Colorado. The win is significant for Democrats who aim to capture Wisconsin’s governor’s mansion, a key political target since Gov. Tony Evers opted not to seek reelection. Former President Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in 2024, highlighting the state’s political importance. Additionally, Wisconsin balances its representation with one senator from each major party, setting it apart along with Maine.

The primary saw participation from prominent candidates such as former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Initially, Crowley supported Rodriguez, perceiving her as an establishment contender. However, Rodriguez exited the race upon discovering financial shortcomings, while Barnes, who previously achieved notable victories, decided not to pursue the nomination further.

In July, Crowley resumed his campaign as a centrist Democrat, reversing his previous decision based on erroneous data. Meanwhile, Barnes withdrew his candidacy, signaling that Hong was likely to become the party’s nominee. However, Barnes faced scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, which he did not publicly address.

With the stage set for a Crowley vs. Hong showdown, the primary drew national attention. Hong’s past social media activity sparked controversy. Old posts from 2019 to 2021 emerged, where she spoke against law enforcement agencies and criticized cultural aspects. While she backtracked on some statements, her past actions continued to influence the primary.