David Crowley beats progressive Francesca Hong in Wisconsin gubernatorial primary
David Crowley unexpectedly beat a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, and will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany on the ballot in November.
August 12, 2026 / 3:51 AM EDT / CBS News
Moderate Democrat David Crowley will win his party's primary for Wisconsin governor, CBS News projects, in a narrow, upset victory over Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist who was widely viewed as a frontrunner in the race.
Crowley overcame significant headwinds, especially after he briefly suspended his campaign in July. But he also had the backing of two-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Hong had suffered from negative press as old social media posts had come to light.
Crowley's win reversed the recent trend of progressive wins in Democratic primaries in Michigan, New York and Colorado.
The governor's mansion in Wisconsin is one of the biggest prizes for both parties, especially with Evers' decision not to run for reelection. President Trump won by less than 1 point in 2024 and Wisconsin is one of only two states with one Democratic senator and one Republican senator. (In Maine, independent Sen. Angus King caucuses with Democrats, while the state's other senator is GOP Sen. Susan Collins.)