DSA Darling Francesca Hong Narrowly Loses Wisconsin Primary In Major Upset Following Progressive Snub

August 12, 2026 8:19 AM ET Francesca Hong failed to secure the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin governor Tuesday night amid lack of support from high-profile progressives. Hong lost the primary by less than one percent to David Crowley, the Democratic candidate who earned the endorsement of outgoing Wisconsin Gov. T

MADISON, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 11: Democratic Wisconsin Gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong speaks to reporters after voting in the primary election on August 11, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. Recent polling has Hong with a substantial lead over her nearest Democratic rival David Crowley. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Imag

The movement had been riding high off a string of primary victories this cycle. But Francesca Hong’s loss Wednesday led to an immediate round of finger-pointing.

David Crowley unexpectedly beat a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, and will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany on the ballot in November.

Left-Wing Surge Stalls in Wisconsin as Francesca Hong Narrowly Loses  wsj.com

Democratic socialist is frontrunner in four-way race to face Republican Tom Tiffany in test of anti-establishment mood Wisconsin voters will decide on Tuesday whether to nominate a democratic socialist for the state’s highest office in the latest test of an anti-establishment wave among Democratic primary voters. Franc

Why The GOP Might Be Rooting For Francesca Hong—While Some Progressives Avoid Her  Forbes

Her candidacy for the Wisconsin gubernatorial nomination is dividing Democrats in a state Donald Trump won in 2024.

Hong's history of far-left views on policing, immigration, taxation and even Thanksgiving could come back to haunt her.