Democratic Socialist and Moderate Locked in Tight Wisconsin Governor Primary

The Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin remains too close to call late Tuesday night. Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong and establishment backed David Crowley are separated by less than one percentage point. According to Decision Desk HQ, Crowley held 40 percent of the vote to Hong's 39.6 percent with approximately 93 percent of the expected vote counted. The race is viewed as a key test for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, following a narrow victory by progressive Abdul El Sayed in a Michigan US Senate primary. Hong's platform includes universal child care, higher taxes on the wealthy, and a 20 dollar hourly minimum wage. The primary field was described as chaotic, having peaked at seven candidates. It was eventually whittled down to four after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out following an accounting scandal and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes failed to gain traction. Crowley had previously suspended his campaign before re entering the race. Prior to the vote, polling from State Navigate and Marquette Law School had shown Hong with a commanding lead. Hong has faced criticism from Jewish groups and Democratic figureheads regarding her record on Israel. She has called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government genocidal and has appeared on fundraisers with critics of Israel. Hong previously apologized for calling the police on a vandalized Israeli flag in 2023, stating she now believes the incident was misrepresented to confuse anti Zionism with antisemitism. Donald Trump has criticized the rise of progressive candidates, labeling them as communists and jihadists.