Wisconsin beats back socialist surge with defeat of Hong for governor — who lacked support from Bernie and AOC

Francesca Hong’s defeat shows that she may have been too far left even for progressives, as a razor-thin margin in Midwest state pushes David Crowley to victory, writes John Bowden

Moderate Democrat David Crowley won the Wisconsin primary for governor, defeating a democratic socialist who fell short while trying to deliver another win for progressives in a battleground state.

So, at time of writing, it looks as if voters don't want to cancel Thanksgiving - on balance, at least. Come November, however, few Democrats will be expressing gratitude for their party's vote-tabulation systems. Francesca Hong, it seems, will not be America's first avowedly socialist state governor. She appears to ha

The narrow victory for the Milwaukee County Executive over socialist Francesca Hong was a win for Dem Party 'establishment.'

Polls had shown Hong as a clear frontrunner during the campaign, but with large chunks of voters still undecided and an ever-changing field of candidates, polling was difficult David Crowley wins Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor Senator Darline Graham, appointed to complete the Senate term of her late brothe

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

Francesca Hong’s defeat in the Democratic primary for governor defied expectations and may have shown the democratic socialist wave cannot reach beyond urban centers.

Progressive Democrats keep their winning streak rolling in Minnesota.

Establishment-Backed David Crowley Pulls Off Wisconsin Upset  huffpost.com

David Crowley beats Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor.

David Crowley won the Democratic gubernatorial primary over Francesca Hong, and will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November.

David Crowley’s Wisconsin Victory Beats Back a Progressive Groundswell  WSJ

The moderate candidate prevailed by just 0.4% over the democratic socialist Francesca Hong. The progressives won in Minnesota’s Senate primary

The moderate candidate prevailed by just 0.4% over the democratic socialist Francesca Hong. The progressives won in Minnesota’s Senate primary

Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong lost the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Tuesday’s primary election to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, detracting from socialists’ recent electoral victories. Crowley secured the primary win with 39.8% of the vote, compared to Hong’s 39.4%, according to the Associate

Democratic socialist Francesca Hong’s campaign was seen as test for appeal of progressive candidates in Wisconsin

Democratic primary in Wisconsin governor's race goes down to the wire.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, in Tuesday's Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, the Associated Press reports. Why it matters: Hong's loss blunts progressives' recent momentum and hands moderate Democrats a chance to prove their electa

Hong’s record on Israel and antisemitism has been of concern to Wisconsin Jews

David Crowley, the Moderate Democrat, beat democratic socialist Francesca Hong narrowly to win the Wisconsin Governor primary.

David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive and could become the state's first Black governor. He narrowly defeated Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist who drew enthusiastic support.

Moderates scored a win in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary as David Crowley bested democratic socialist Francesca Hong.

Socialist Francesca Hong Loses To David Crowley In Wisconsin Primary  Forbes

Moderate Democrat David Crowley won the Wisconsin primary for governor, defeating a democratic socialist who fell short of trying to deliver another win for progressives in a battleground state.

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.

Moderate Democrat David Crowley has won the Wisconsin primary for governor

David Crowley wins Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor over progressive Francesca Hong  AP News

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.

Crowley will now face off against Trump-backed Tom Tiffany as Democrats look to claw back ground in a key battleground state Trump won in 2024.

Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley are in a tight race in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary on Wednesday.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the wide-open Wisconsin governor’s race, Decision Desk HQ projects.  Crowley, with support from retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D), pulled off an upset and bested HOng in a blow to the party’s far-left flank amid concerns that such c

Moderate Democrat David Crowley is projected to defeat Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s primary for governor, an upset in a race that became a test of the party’s ideological direction.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a center-left Democrat who primarily ran on economic issues, squeaked out a narrow win Tuesday in a highly competitive primary for governor of Wisconsin, Decision Desk HQ projects. He won in an upset victory over democratic socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong, who would have be

Hong vows to ‘keep fighting’ amid tight race in Wisconsin  CNN

Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and moderate David Crowley were locked in a tighter-than-expected battle for Wisconsin's closely watched Democratic gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday (Aug 12), in a key test for the appeal of progressive candidates in the battleground state. With more than 90 per cent of the

The Democratic Party's progressive wing faces critical tests in Upper Midwest primaries as Peggy Flanagan battles Angie Craig for Minnesota's Senate nod.

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) has secured the Republican nomination to run for governor of Wisconsin, securing victory with relative ease shortly after the polls closed.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley pulled off a stunning upset Tuesday in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, defeating socialist frontrunner Francesca Hong after polls showed him trailing by double digits just days before the election. Decision Desk Headquarters called the race early Wednesday morning

A democratic socialist is trying to rise above the governor's endorsed candidate in Wisconsin's chaotic primary race for governor.

Some in party establishment think candidate’s views will lead to defeat against Republican in November’s election

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Francesca Hong has called for free childcare and healthcare and a moratorium on data center construction. She used to want to defund the police.

Democratic socialist tries to beat governor’s pick in chaotic Wisconsin primary for governor  Toronto Star