The Democratic Party primary in Wisconsin concluded with a genuine political sensation. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the gubernatorial nomination, narrowly defeating progressive candidate Francesca Hong by only about three thousand votes.
Such an outcome seemed unlikely until very recently. Internal polls from Crowley's campaign showed him trailing by almost 20 percentage points, while Hong was considered one of the most prominent representatives of the Democratic Party's strengthening left wing.
However, the final week of the campaign completely shifted the balance of power.
Evers' Endorsement and November Fears
A key turning point was the endorsement of Crowley by incumbent Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. He intervened in the race almost at the last minute, as concerns grew within party leadership that Hong might be too vulnerable in the general election.
The Democrats' main fear was simple: a candidate with a strong socialist agenda might effectively mobilize young and progressive voters in the primary, but face significant challenges in winning over independent and moderate Wisconsin voters.
Crowley himself spoke quite directly about this during the campaign. He argued that socialist candidates are poorly received by a significant portion of the electorate and could become too easy a target for Republicans.
These concerns intensified, particularly after old posts by Hong resurfaced in the days leading up to the vote, in which she called for the abolition of Thanksgiving and advocated for defunding the police.
For Republicans, such a candidate indeed appeared to be an almost ideal opponent.
Republicans Preferred Hong
Interestingly, Republican organizations had previously spent millions of dollars on advertisements that effectively aided Hong's campaign.
The calculation was clear: the more left-leaning the Democratic candidate, the easier it would be to attack them in the fall.
But this strategy did not work.
Instead of Hong, Republican candidate Tom Tiffany will now face a more centrist and pragmatic opponent, who already has experience managing the state's largest county and is capable of appealing beyond the traditional Democratic electorate.
For Republicans, this is potentially a more challenging race.
Progressive Wing Suffers Painful Blow
Hong's defeat was a significant blow to the Democrats' left wing.
She enjoyed active support from young voters and progressive activists, yet even the most prominent national figures of the American left — Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — did not officially endorse her campaign.
As a result, Crowley managed to assemble a broader coalition of moderate Democrats, the party establishment, and a segment of voters primarily concerned with the prospects of the November elections.
However, it would be incorrect to speak of a complete defeat for progressives.
On the same day, the situation in neighboring Minnesota was quite the opposite.
There, progressive Peggy Flanagan decisively defeated the more moderate Congresswoman Angie Craig.
Thus, the political evening yielded mixed results for the Democratic left flank: a defeat in Wisconsin and a convincing victory in Minnesota.
A Historic Opportunity for Crowley
Attention now shifts to November.
If David Crowley defeats Tom Tiffany, he could become the first Black governor in Wisconsin's history.
For Democrats, this would be not only a symbolic victory but also a crucial political success in one of the key swing states in the U.S.
Tiffany, for his part, represents a more hardline wing of the Republican Party and carries his own political baggage, including his stance following the 2020 presidential election.
Therefore, the upcoming campaign promises to be extremely tough.
The Main Question: Will Democrats Unite?
Crowley's victory resolved one problem but immediately created another.
He won the primary by a narrow margin, meaning a large portion of the Democratic electorate voted for a different candidate and a different political direction.
Now, Crowley needs to convince Hong's supporters not only to formally endorse him but also to actually turn out to vote in November.
This is especially critical for Wisconsin. Major elections here are often decided by minimal margins, so even a slight loss of enthusiasm among young and progressive voters could prove critical.
At the same time, Crowley must contend for moderate and independent voters—precisely those for whom the party leadership essentially opted for a more centrist candidate.
This is the main paradox of the current race.
To defeat Tiffany, Crowley must simultaneously convince progressives that he has not abandoned them, and convince the center that he will not allow the party to drift too far left.
If he succeeds in uniting both parts of the coalition, Democrats will have a very strong candidate for the November elections.
However, if the fierce intra-party struggle leaves behind too deep fissures, Republicans will certainly exploit them.
The primary is over. But the real battle for Wisconsin is just beginning.
In the November election, Crowley could become Wisconsin's first Black governor. Tiffany, for his part, is the first candidate who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election to seek the governorship of a key swing state.
Republicans had previously spent millions on advertisements supporting Hong, viewing her as a weaker opponent. Now, they face a more centrist candidate.
Will the party be able to quickly unite after a fierce internal struggle?
