Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, defeating democratic socialist Francesca Hong by a razor-thin margin in a volatile race. Crowley secured the nomination after late backing from outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, setting up a general election showdown against Republican nominee Tom Tiffany.
The Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor concluded with a dramatic upset as Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley edged out state lawmaker Francesca Hong. With 98% of the expected vote tallied, Crowley took 39.8% of the primary vote compared to 39.4% for Hong. Other tracking by FOX9 at 11 p.m. with 86% of votes counted showed Crowley at 40.0% with 281,881 votes to Hong’s 39.6% with 279,267 votes—a separation of just a few thousand ballots.
Last-Minute Campaign Shifts and the Endorsement That Upended the Race
Crowley’s path to the nomination required a remarkable turnaround. As recently as late July, polling from the Marquette University Law School placed him in the single digits in a crowded, fluid field while Hong held a clear plurality. The primary had already seen major departures: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out in mid-July amid campaign finance reporting issues, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes ended his bid on July 31.
Seizing an opening after Rodriguez’s exit, Crowley dropped out of the race briefly before re-entering with the crucial backing of outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Evers, who chose not to seek a third term, campaigned actively for Crowley, framing him as the most electable candidate capable of defeating the Republican nominee in a crucial swing state.
Ali Plummer of Madison told NBC News she backed Crowley because she considered herself risk-averse and prioritized finding a candidate who could beat Tom Tiffany in the general election. That perspective was not shared universally even within households; Plummer’s partner, Shawn Bass, cast his ballot for Hong, praising her platform on universal healthcare and childcare.
Progressive Momentum Met Electoral Pragmatism in a Divided Field
Hong ran a campaign highlighted by childcare for all, free school meals, and a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. However, in the closing weeks of the primary, she faced intense scrutiny over past positions. Opponents and external groups drew attention to an old social media post calling to cancel Thanksgiving, alongside her historical remarks supporting police defunding—positions she subsequently walked back or retracted.
Outside spending heavily shaped the closing dynamics. Crowley’s campaign and allied outside groups poured $4 million into ad campaigns during the primary. By contrast, Hong’s campaign and supporting committees spent less than half a million dollars.
Despite the setback for her campaign, Hong addressed supporters on Tuesday evening while the race remained exceptionally close. the fight continues no matter what
she told the crowd as votes continued to be tallied.
The General Election Matchup Ahead Against Tom Tiffany
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany steps forward as the GOP-endorsed candidate after winning his primary in a landslide against political outsider Andy Manske. Tiffany enters the fall campaign backed by President Donald Trump.
The broader political stakes for Wisconsin Democrats extend beyond the executive mansion. Party leaders are angling for a governing trifecta this cycle, hoping to win back legislative majorities in both chambers of the state assembly while retaining control of the governor’s office. With Wisconsin remaining one of the most closely contested battlegrounds in national politics, the general election matchup between Crowley and Tiffany is poised to command intense national attention through November.
