Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, defeating democratic socialist Francesca Hong. The result was an upset, as polls had previously shown Hong as a clear frontrunner. Crowley, a moderate Democrat, won by less than a percentage point in a race that remained too close to call late Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
Crowley's victory came after he re-entered the race and received an endorsement from outgoing governor Tony Evers. The contest served as a test of the Democratic party's ideological direction, highlighting a divide between establishment candidates and an insurgent progressive movement ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
If elected in November, Crowley would become the state's first Black governor. He is now set to face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany on the general election ballot.