Why it Matters
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley pulled off a narrow upset Tuesday in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, defeating state Rep. Francesca Hong, who had been the polling front-runner heading into Election Day.
The result is drawing attention as a test of where the democratic socialist movement stands within the Democratic Party. Politico reported that Hong's loss "revealed limits to the far left's power — and is undercutting the narrative of an emerging insurgency," noting that even some progressives expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The New York Times wrote that the defeat "defied expectations and may have shown the democratic socialist wave cannot reach beyond urban centers."
Crowley, backed by outgoing Gov. Tony Evers, would become Wisconsin's first Black governor if he wins in November. He will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, who carries President Donald Trump's endorsement, in the general election.
What They're Saying
NBC News projected Crowley "narrowly defeated Hong, a democratic socialist state lawmaker, in the key battleground state." NPR described Hong as a candidate who "drew enthusiastic support" despite the loss.
The Associated Press framed the contest as a moderate Democrat defeating "a democratic socialist who fell short of trying to deliver another win for progressives in a battleground state."
The Crowley campaign took jabs at Trump following the victory, according to Fox News. Before the primary, Trump had mocked Hong's past social media posts, per The Guardian, while, the outlet noted, "major figures in her own party publicly questioned her ability to win a general election."
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