Wisconsin Primary: Progressive vs. Moderate Face Off in Key Democratic Contest

A week after progressives won a Senate primary in Michigan, Democrats face another test in Wisconsin, a crucial battleground in the Upper Midwest. Voters in the state went to the polls on Tuesday in primary elections that will shape races for governor and all eight U.S. House seats in November, along with the Wisconsin State Assembly and half the State Senate.

The most-watched race is the Democratic gubernatorial primary, seen as a proxy battle between the party's progressive and moderate wings. The outcome will not only shape Wisconsin politics but could also signal broader trends among Democratic voters ahead of the midterms.

Why is the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary important?

Wisconsin is the next major test after Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate, defeated Representative Haley Stevens, backed by moderates, in the Michigan Senate primary. That event raised questions about whether Democratic voters are shifting further left.

This year's primaries have repeatedly seen outsider candidates defeat favored opponents, reflecting dissatisfaction among many Democrats after the 2024 presidential loss and internal debates over issues like Israel support. While progressive candidates have won in traditionally Democratic states like New York and Colorado, doubts remain about their success in states like Michigan or Wisconsin, where both parties are competitive. President Donald Trump won both states in 2024, after former President Joe Biden had carried them in 2020.

Wisconsin will be closely watched to see if the progressive winning streak continues. The winner will likely face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, a Trump ally who has framed the race as a choice between a 'socialist agenda' and 'common sense.'

Who are Francesca Hong and David Crowley?

The Democratic gubernatorial primary has narrowed to two very different candidates.

State Representative Francesca Hong is a legislator, former restaurant worker, and democratic socialist. If elected, she would become Wisconsin's first female governor and first Asian-American governor. Her campaign focuses on issues like free childcare, student debt cancellation, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She has also faced scrutiny over past social media posts, including support for policies of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) such as abolishing the U.S. Senate and defunding the police. She later walked back some positions, saying she does not endorse the full national DSA platform and promising not to cut police budgets. Hong emphasized that she is a member of the local Madison DSA chapter, not the national organization.

Hong, who has received support from Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and campaigned with left-wing commentator Hasan Piker, has also described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, supports Palestinian rights, and calls for repealing a Wisconsin law that bars state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel.

Her main opponent, David Crowley, is the Milwaukee County Executive, the county's top official. He initially dropped out of the race but re-entered 10 days later, in mid-July, after receiving backing from outgoing Governor Tony Evers. That endorsement quickly made Crowley the favored moderate candidate, with arguments that he is the strongest candidate to keep the governor's office in Democratic hands.

However, Crowley insists he is not an establishment Democrat and calls the term 'an insult.' He also hopes to make history as Wisconsin's first Black governor and says he will focus on undecided voters. A Marquette University Law School poll in late July showed Hong leading the race significantly.

Why did the gubernatorial primary get messy?

Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez was the first prominent Democrat to drop out after a campaign finance controversy. Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes later ended her campaign, narrowing the field.

Less than two weeks before election day, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes withdrew after allegations of misconduct were revived in the campaign. Barnes denied any wrongdoing. A review commissioned by the Wisconsin Democratic Party found no credible evidence because the allegations were anonymous and lacked specifics, according to the Associated Press.

Crowley then re-entered the race after receiving Evers' backing. Because all candidates withdrew after the state filing deadline, they remain on the ballot. Nearly 128,000 absentee ballots have been returned, meaning many voters already cast ballots for candidates no longer actively campaigning. A judge later rejected a lawsuit seeking to void those absentee ballots and allow voters to re-vote.

Other notable races

In the 3rd Congressional District in western Wisconsin, Democrats are choosing between Rebecca Cooke – a nonprofit executive and the party's 2024 nominee who came within about three percentage points of Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden – and Emily Berge, a former Eau Claire City Council president. The winner will face Van Orden in November in one of the most competitive House races in the country, a prime pickup opportunity for Democrats.

Another notable race is in the 7th Congressional District. It centers primarily on Michael Alfonso, the 26-year-old son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has Trump's endorsement. He faces several challengers, including Jessi Ebben, a manufacturing strategist and grassroots Trump organizer who campaigns on border security, expanding U.S. manufacturing, and defending gun rights, and Kevin Hermening, a former U.S. Marine who was one of 66 Americans held hostage by Iran for 444 days beginning in 1979.

The district is expected to remain Republican, meaning the primary winner will have an advantage in November. Democrats are choosing between Chris Armstrong, former State Representative Fred Clark, and Ginger Murray for their nomination.

Voting hours

Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (12:00 to 01:00 GMT, Tuesday to Wednesday).