Wisconsin Primary Tests Democratic Socialists' Reach in Swing State

Progressives face another major test in battleground Wisconsin, where state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, appears to be the front-runner in a turbulent Democratic primary for governor ahead of the Aug. 11 contest.

Hong, a former restaurant owner who represents Madison, has led statewide polling despite late efforts within the party to unite behind an alternative candidate. The race is for the state's first open gubernatorial seat since 2010, following Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' decision not to seek reelection.

A Hong victory would mark another win for candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, who have already prevailed in New York City, Colorado and, most recently, Michigan's Senate primary with Abdul El-Sayed.

Some Democrats worry Hong could struggle against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, the Trump-backed presumptive GOP nominee, and could hurt down-ballot Democrats. Complicating the race further, some voters have already cast absentee ballots for candidates who dropped out.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley exited the race in July but reentered days later after winning Evers' endorsement. He trailed Hong in the latest Marquette Law School poll but has outraised her, reporting more than $775,000 to her roughly $350,000 in the same period.

Hong has walked back past social media positions, including calls to abolish the Senate and defund the police. Asked on CNN about a deleted 2020 post calling to "cancel Thanksgiving," she said the holiday is "incredibly painful for many people in our communities" while later telling Politico it's actually her "favorite holiday." Tiffany seized on the remarks, saying socialists like Hong "want to destroy the traditions and culture that unite us."

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse professor Anthony Chergosky said a Hong win would show democratic socialism can succeed in a purple state, while a loss would embolden the party's centrist wing heading into 2028.

The primary also carries stakes for Congress. Tiffany's departure opens Wisconsin's 7th District, where Trump-endorsed Michael Alfonso, son-in-law of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, faces four GOP rivals. Democrats, meanwhile, are targeting Republican-held seats in the 1st and 3rd Districts, where nurse Mitchell Berman and repeat candidate Rebecca Cooke are seen as front-runners against incumbents Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden.