In brief
The centrist David Crowley was projected to win Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary after a narrow showdown with insurgent candidate Francesca Hong, halting a broader left‑wing wave that saw candidates like Peggy Flanagan and Abdul El‑Sayed capture nominations elsewhere. Crowley, backed by Governor Tony Evers and former Milwaukee County CEO, rallied with a pledge to increase affordability, strengthen schools and create jobs. The race will pit him against Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany in November, while the national context will shape control of Congress.
The Democratic primary to select Wisconsin’s next governor took an unexpected turn as David Crowley – a centrist former Milwaukee County chief executive – edged out insurgent candidate Francesca Hong, a move that brings a stop to a broader left‑wing momentum that had captured nominations in Minnesota and Michigan.
Crowley led Hong by a narrow margin with only a fraction of ballots tallied, a projection confirmed by the BBC’s partner CBS News. The win comes after Crowley had briefly quit the race last month, only to return with the endorsement of current governor Tony Evers.
The contest is set against a backdrop of high‑stakes primaries across the country, from the approval of Peggy Flanagan for the U.S. Senate in Minneapolis to the defeat of long‑time incumbent John Larson in Connecticut. A wave of left‑wing challengers, many backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, had upset established Democratic figures, only to be checked by Crowley’s victory.
On X Crowley declared, “It’s time to get to work,” summarizing his campaign focus on making life affordable, strengthening schools, creating good‑paying jobs and ensuring opportunity everywhere in Wisconsin.
Crowley will face the Republican nominee Tom Tiffany – a U.S. congressman with the backing of President Donald Trump – in November’s gubernatorial race. The outcome may influence the balance of power in Congress as the midterm elections unfold.
