- David Crowley won Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor, defeating progressive state lawmaker Francesca Hong, despite having suspended his campaign one month earlier.
- The win highlights a battle between the center-left Democratic establishment and progressive insurgency, with voters showing hesitancy about further-left candidates' electability in a presidential battleground.
- Governor Tony Evers recruited Crowley back into the race and campaigned with him, endorsing him as the best chance to beat Republican Tom Tiffany.
- Crowley, 40, has a long record in local politics, including serving as Milwaukee County executive since 2020, and could become Wisconsin's first Black governor if elected in November.
- Crowley shared his personal story of overcoming hardship, including eviction, mental health struggles, addiction, and housing uncertainty, and emphasized his reliance on public schools and opportunity.
- The primary field was chaotic, with Crowley dropping out and re-entering, and other candidates exiting, leaving Crowley as the last moderate contender.
- Hong's campaign faced setbacks, including a viral moment from a CNN interview about a 2020 tweet advocating for canceling Thanksgiving, which raised doubts about her viability.
- Crowley's victory was aided by early voting and the inability to change ballots, as well as the split of progressive votes among multiple candidates, with Crowley and Hong separated by less than 4,000 votes.
David Crowley secured a surprising victory in the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, defeating Francesca Hong despite suspending his campaign just weeks prior. His win highlights the ongoing struggle between the Democratic establishment and progressive factions, raising questions about the electability of left-leaning candidates in a crucial battleground state.123
Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, re-entered the race at the urging of Tony Evers, the outgoing Democratic governor, who campaigned alongside him. Evers emphasized Crowley’s potential to defeat Republican Tom Tiffany, stating, “In my heart of hearts, I know David Crowley is the best chance we have of beating Tom Tiffany.” Crowley’s political journey is marked by personal struggles, including eviction and addiction, which he shared with voters, stating, “I know what it means to face hardship because I’ve lived it.”5678
The primary race was tumultuous, with Crowley initially dropping out and then re-entering after other candidates exited. His victory margin over Hong was narrow, with less than 4,000 votes separating them. Notably, over 20% of the electorate voted for other candidates, indicating a divided Democratic base. Crowley’s win raises concerns about the viability of progressive candidates, as many voters expressed hesitancy about Hong’s readiness for the general election after controversial media appearances.
As the election approaches, Crowley aims to unify the party and focus on the broader challenge of defeating Tiffany in November, emphasizing the need for Democratic voters to set aside differences for a common goal.
“Crowley, who could become Wisconsin's first Black governor, was backed by outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, who said 'David is the kind of guy who gets shit done.' The race was decided by less than 4,000 votes, with 20% of voters choosing other candidates.”
