The internal struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party saw a significant shift on Tuesday as the center left managed to hold its ground in a critical battleground state. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley emerged victorious in a razor thin primary win over State Representative Francesca Hong, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. The result serves as a sharp rebuke to the party’s progressive wing, coming just one week after far left candidate Abdul El Sayed secured a narrow victory in Michigan’s Senate primary.
The stakes were exceptionally high given that Wisconsin represents one of the most vital swing states in the country. Outgoing Governor Tony Evers threw his full weight behind Crowley, voicing concerns that a victory for Hong could hand the governor’s mansion to Republicans. This anxiety was shared by many moderate strategists who feared that Hong’s platform and political history would alienate centrist voters and damage other Democratic candidates running further down the ballot during the midterms.
Hong entered the race with endorsements from national figures like Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna, but she struggled to shake off controversies regarding her past rhetoric. During her campaign, she had to walk back previous calls to abolish police departments and defend old social media posts suggesting that Thanksgiving be canceled to avoid celebrating colonialism. While she insisted she had evolved and remained serious about public safety, these flashpoints provided ample ammunition for her critics and created hesitation among some established party leaders.
Ironically, some Republican operatives spent millions trying to help Hong secure the nomination, viewing her as an easier opponent than Crowley. Now, Crowley moves forward into a general election matchup against Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, a staunch ally of Donald Trump. As Tiffany prepares to frame the upcoming fight as a defense against socialism, Crowley enters the final stretch as the preferred choice of the Democratic establishment looking to maintain control of executive power in the Midwest.
