Wisconsin Democrats are heading to the polls Tuesday faced with a question similar to voters across the country: Will they cast a ballot for a more progressive candidate, or someone who is more moderate and backed by establishment Democrats?
State Rep. Francesca Hong has emerged as the front-runner in the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor. She’s facing off against David Crowley, Milwaukee County executive, who is backed by the outgoing Gov. Tony Evers.
The gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a contest much like others across the country, in which voters are leaning away from the traditional party and electing progressives or democratic socialists in recent races.
Hong is seeking to leverage voters’ concerns about cost of living and Crowley is trying to prove he’s the more electable candidate to take on Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who earned the endorsement of President Donald Trump, in the November general election.
Hong’s rise from a state legislator to the front-runner in the race has also been marked by the resurfacing of old, controversial social media posts, in which she called for defunding the police and opposing Thanksgiving, which has earned her national attention as she tries to reverse some “hot takes” she made online.
Crowley, along with Evers, has argued that Hong risks losing the gubernatorial race to Tiffany, who is part of the House Freedom Caucus.
Hong, however, argues voters are fed up with the Democratic Party and establishment politics and will vote to change things up.
It’s a sentiment seen in primary races in other states that have led to successful outcomes for democratic socialist or progressive candidates in races in Colorado, New York and Michigan.
Republicans, meanwhile, hope Hong will win the primary since they believe Tiffany has a better chance if she advances to the general election.
Pro-Republican PACs, including one associated with the Republican Governors Association, have spent millions to boost Hong’s campaign with the hope she makes it through to November.
Some voters in the state told Politico they were concerned that if Hong makes it to the general election, there would be racist and sexist remarks made to deter voters, since the state has never elected anyone to be governor that isn’t a white man. Hong also previously made comments about her white ex-husband and her son, who is biracial, in a 2021 interview, that have resurfaced.
In a purple swing state like Wisconsin, every vote matters. For example, during Evers’ most recent gubernatorial race against Republican businessman Tim Michels in 2022, he won by just over 90,000 votes.
The race before, in 2018, was even closer, flipping from Republican control of the governor’s mansion to Democratic. Evers won by about 29,000 votes.
While Hong holds the lead in polls for the gubernatorial race, Crowley’s team is pointing to the recent Michigan Senate primary, in which Dr. Abdul El-Sayed beat Rep. Haley Stevens in a tighter margin than what was initially expected, Politico reported.
Both Hong and Crowley support higher taxes on the wealthy and expanding public education funding.
The differences, however, come down to smaller details about progressive policies and how they would implement them in office.
For example, Hong wants universal childcare in the state while Crowley supports expanding childcare. Hong wants to put a one-year moratorium on building new data centers. Crowley doesn’t agree and wants to see more development and investment in Wisconsin.
While Hong previously stated that police and prisons should be abolished, she said she’s moved away from those positions and is more in line with Crowley that police should be accountable and maintain law enforcement duties.
Hong has tried to push that she’s a grassroots candidate, one that hasn’t run any TV ads, but Crowley is leaning on his experience in governance and electability against the Republican candidate in the general.
Other races to watch
Similarly, a progressive vs. establishment battle in Minnesota will take place Tuesday for the Democratic nomination for Senate.
Rep. Angie Craig is facing off against Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan. Craig, a sitting member of Congress, has a more moderate stance on most issues while Flanagan is a progressive with strong ties to Democratic activist groups.
Immigration enforcement has been a major focus of the race after Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence was ordered to Minnesota earlier this year for detentions and deportations, prompting protests that led to the deaths of two Americans.
The winner of the primary will face off against Republican Michele Tafoya. The race could be close, with polling showing that both Craig and Flanagan have 47% to Tafoya’s 40% in the general race.
The seat is open after Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat, is retiring. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is running in the state’s gubernatorial race, and would vacate her seat if she wins in November.
Other primaries will take place in Connecticut and Vermont on Tuesday.