Democrat Losses Signal Party Shift Toward Moderates.
David Crowley won Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday night, edging Francesca Hong by fewer than 3,100 votes. The Associated Press called the race at 3:34 a.m. ET Wednesday.
- 39.8% went to Crowley; Hong received 39.4% with nearly all votes counted.
- Pre-election polls had shown Hong with a 22-point lead just four days before the vote.
- Crowley had suspended his campaign weeks earlier before re-entering with Gov. Tony Evers's endorsement.
- Hong conceded the race, removing the possibility of a recount, before AP called it.
Why it matters: Wisconsin is a swing state, and the Democratic nominee's ideology drew scrutiny over general-election viability. Cook Political Report rates the November race a toss-up.
- Crowley's win gives Democrats a nominee without the self-described socialist label heading into a competitive fall race against Trump-backed Tiffany.
How 92 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage divides on whether Hong's near-win represents a warning for the Democratic establishment or a narrow escape from an unelectable candidate.
USA Today1w+Democrats keep nominating candidates most Americans don't want | OpinionYNYahoo News1w+Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley reveals he won't campaign with Hasan Piker
The Hill1w+Wisconsin governor’s race: How Crowley pulled off the upset over Hong
Newsweek1w+Are America's primary voters rebelling against the establishment?
Forbes1w+Why Polls Were Wrong In Socialist Francesca Hong’s Race
PBS NewsHour1w+David Crowley wins Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor over Francesca Hong
Reuters1w+Wisconsin Democrats choose David Crowley as nominee for governor, US media says
Semafor1w+View: Hong’s defeat shows the left evolving further away from 2020
The Economist1w+Democratic moderates get a surprising reprieve in Wisconsin
Associated Press1w+David Crowley's razor-thin primary win sets up Wisconsin governor's race against Trump's pick
Axios1w+Moderate Crowley narrowly beats democratic socialist Hong in WisconsinLeft coverage, 28 sources: The left frames Hong's loss as a narrow, bittersweet setback for an energized progressive movement that nearly won without support from Sanders or Ocasio-Cortez.
The Independent1w+Wisconsin beats back socialist surge with defeat of Hong for governor — who lacked support from Bernie and AOC
MSNBC1w+Democrats got lucky with Hong’s Wisconsin loss. They have more work to do.
HuffPost1w+Establishment-Backed David Crowley Pulls Off Wisconsin Upset
Political Wire1w+Wisconsin Democrats Opt for Electability
Talking Points Memo1w+‘Prediction’ Markets Get Trounced in Hong’s Defeat
CNN1w+How the Democratic establishment beat the odds in WisconsinJacJacobin1w+The Socialist Electoral Project Still Hasn’t Hit Its Ceiling
NBC News1w+David Crowley wins tight Wisconsin race and Iran plot led to Trump’s plane swap: Morning Rundown
Raw Story1w+Republican election meddling has crashed into a brick wall: analysis
The Guardian1w+Wisconsin Democrats chose a middle path – will it lead to victory in November?TIThe Intercept1w+Francesca Hong’s Loss in Wisconsin is a Win for AI Data Centers — for NowTNRThe New Republic1w+Stunning Wisconsin Outcome Hands Dems a Surprise Weapon Against MAGARight coverage, 40 sources: The right frames Hong's defeat as a rejection of far-left politics in a swing state, highlighting her controversial past statements on Thanksgiving and policing as liabilities.
New York Post1w+Francesca Hong's collapse offers hope for establishment Dems — but the radical left is still working hard to infiltrate
Washington Examiner1w+The most dangerous socialists aren’t in DC. They’re running for governor
Breitbart News1w+Dem Rep. Moore: GOP Wants to Use Socialism Against Us, Hong Ran 'Splendid Campaign' on Issues People Care About
Fox News1w+Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley reveals he won't campaign with Hasan Piker
The Daily Wire1w+This Week Was A Gut-Punch To The Socialists
Townhall1w+The WisDems' 'Unity Breakfast' Is a Gift to Tom Tiffany
Just the News1w+Democrat divorce: Recent progressive losses press moderates to reclaim party to beat Trump's GOP
NewsBusters1w+Holiday-Hating Hong Upset in Wisconsin Democrat Primary for Governor
PJ Media1w+Hong’s Loss May Be the Moment Democrats Finally Confront the DSA
RedState1w+When You Come Out Against Thanksgiving, You've Completely Lost the Plot, and Probably an Election
Twitchy1w+'Hitting the Stereotype SO on the Nose'! Pics From Francesca Hong's Farewell Event Said It ALL
Newsmax1w+Sabato Shifts Wis. Governor Race to Leans DemocratWhat’s next: Crowley is expected to hold a unity event Wednesday and court voters across party lines.
- Crowley faces Rep. Tom Tiffany, who won the Republican primary with 95% of the vote.
- Will Hong's supporters back Crowley in November, or will intraparty divisions suppress Democratic turnout?
- Does Hong's near-win reflect durable left-wing strength in Wisconsin or a ceiling the DSA cannot break through statewide?