Tight Race in Wisconsin’s Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor remained undecided early Wednesday, based on NBC News’ Decision Desk analysis. State Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley were separated by only a few hundred votes. This tight race was unexpected by many Democrats, following a campaign filled with twists, dropouts, and surges that highlighted significant differences within the party.

Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, started as an unknown candidate but soon gained a substantial lead in public polls. Her rise drew national attention in this crucial battleground state. On the other hand, David Crowley withdrew from the race a month prior but re-entered with outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ endorsement.

Hong, aged 37 and from Madison, faced growing scrutiny for her earlier controversial positions. Some Democrats worried she was too left-leaning to succeed in the general election. Crowley, 40, lacked statewide recognition, but Evers, a popular figure who chose not to seek a third term, actively campaigned for him. Evers asserted that Crowley was the best candidate for the primary, while pro-Crowley groups reinforced this message with TV ads as many voters remained undecided in the final weeks.

This message resonated with some voters like Alli Plummer from Madison, who stated, “I voted for Crowley because I am a risk-averse person and was considering who could defeat Tom Tiffany in the general election.” However, her partner Shawn Bass supported Hong for her strong stance on universal healthcare and childcare.

The primary experienced other significant changes, lacking a clear front-runner for much of the year. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez unexpectedly left the race in mid-July due to campaign finance issues. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a previous Democratic Senate nominee, also exited by the end of July. Together, candidates other than Hong and Crowley accounted for 20% of the vote, including Rodriguez and Barnes, each with nearly 4% support.

A Wisconsin judge ruled that voters could not request new absentee ballots, even if their chosen candidates left the race. In third place was State Sen. Kelda Roys, close to 8%. In Dane County, a crucial liberal area that encompasses Roys’ and Hong’s districts, Roys held nearly 11%.

In Wisconsin, a recount is possible if the margin between candidates is under 1%. If the margin is 0.25% or less, the state covers the cost; otherwise, the candidate pays.

The eventual Democratic nominee will contend with Rep. Tom Tiffany, who secured the Republican nomination. Tiffany criticized Hong and termed ‘extreme Madison socialism’ during a recent Fox News interview. He encouraged supporters to “protect the Wisconsin way of life” and to “move Wisconsin forward.”

Adam Wollner, a deputy politics editor in Washington, D.C., reported on this story. His work involves covering state legislatures, politics, and their intersection with national trends. He focuses on reproductive rights, voting rights, and education policy. Born and raised in Milwaukee, he strives to highlight Wisconsin’s unique political narratives. Reporters Shaquille Brewster and Kailani Koenig also contributed to this coverage.