Tight Race in Wisconsin’s Democratic Primary for Governor
The Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin witnessed an unexpectedly tight race. According to NBC News’ Decision Desk, state Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley were separated by a few hundred votes early Wednesday morning.
Hong began the race as a largely unknown democratic socialist but gained significant traction in public polls, capturing national attention in this key battleground state. Crowley, having dropped out a month earlier due to initial struggles, re-entered the race with strong support from outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
During the final campaign stretch, Hong, aged 37 from Madison, faced scrutiny for her controversial positions, raising concerns about her electability in a general election. Crowley, 40, who was not widely recognized statewide, gained momentum with Evers campaigning alongside him, promoting Crowley as the most viable candidate.
Pro-Crowley groups bolstered his campaign with television ads, aiming to influence undecided voters. Alli Plummer from Madison cast her vote for Crowley, believing him to have a better chance against Republican Tom Tiffany in the general election. Shawn Bass, however, supported Hong for her focus on universal healthcare and childcare.
The primary witnessed significant shifts, lacking a clear leader through much of the year. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, expected to be a frontrunner, exited in July due to campaign finance issues. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes also dropped out later that month. Other candidates collectively garnered around 20% of the vote, including Rodriguez and Barnes, each with nearly 4% support.
A Wisconsin judge ruled that voters who sent absentee ballots could not request new ones, despite candidate withdrawals. State Sen. Kelda Roys secured close to 8% of the vote, particularly in Dane County. In Wisconsin, a recount can be requested by a losing candidate if the margin of loss is less than 1%, with costs depending on whether the margin is under 0.25%.
The Democratic nominee will face Rep. Tom Tiffany, who won the Republican primary and attacked Hong’s policies, labeling them as “extreme.” Tiffany’s post-primary speech called for support to protect and progress Wisconsin’s way of life.
This coverage by Adam Wollner, Deputy Politics Editor, emphasizes state legislatures, politics, and their intersection with national trends. Born in Milwaukee, Wollner aims to highlight Wisconsin’s political landscape.