Wisconsin held its gubernatorial primary on Tuesday in what party observers characterized as a contentious race within Democratic ranks. The democratic socialist candidate, Francesca Hong, a 37-year-old former line cook and single mother first elected to the state Assembly in 2020, positioned herself as an alternative to the party establishment’s chosen contender. Hong has advocated for policies including free childcare and healthcare, along with a moratorium on data center construction.
The establishment-backed candidate, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, secured the endorsement of Governor Tony Evers. Evers decided not to pursue a third term, opening the gubernatorial seat. The primary race became complicated after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, who had appeared to consolidate mainstream Democratic support in July, withdrew from the race amid campaign finance concerns. Crowley had previously dropped out and endorsed Rodriguez but reentered the contest following her withdrawal, now with gubernatorial backing.
Democratic strategists expressed concern that a Hong victory could disadvantage the party’s nominee in the general election against Republican Tom Tiffany. Party leaders worry her platform may be difficult to sell to moderate and independent voters critical in a swing state known for narrow electoral margins. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Tiffany in November in what Democrats view as an opportunity to capitalize on low approval ratings for President Donald Trump in Wisconsin, a state Trump won in both 2016 and 2024.
In other races on the ballot, Sean Duffy’s 26-year-old son-in-law Michael Alfonso competed in a five-way primary for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, the seat Duffy previously held for nine years before stepping down in 2019. Alfonso secured Trump’s endorsement and the former president held multiple campaign events on his behalf. Democrat Rebecca Cooke advanced from her primary in the state’s 3rd Congressional District to face Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden in a rematch from 2024.
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