David Crowley Defeats Francesca Hong in Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary
- I am so proud of David—he's the future of our Party, and I can't wait for him to be our next governor.
Moderate Democrat David Crowley won his party’s primary for Wisconsin governor in an upset victory over democratic socialist Francesca Hong, according to CBS News projections on August 12, 2026. Crowley will face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany on the ballot in November for the open governor’s mansion.
Primary Results and Candidate Stakes
Crowley overcame significant campaign headwinds, including briefly suspending his bid in July, before defeating Hong in a narrow race. According to CBS News, Crowley’s victory reversed a recent trend of progressive wins in Democratic primaries across Michigan, New York, and Colorado. Two-term Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who chose not to run for reelection, endorsed and actively campaigned for Crowley. Evers posted on social media following the projected outcome, calling Crowley the future of the party.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial contest ranks as a major prize for both parties. President Trump won the state by less than one point in 2024, and Wisconsin remains one of only two states featuring split Senate representation with one Democrat and one Republican.
Campaign Shifts and July Turmoil
The Democratic primary field initially included former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, and state lawmaker and former chef Francesca Hong, according to CBS News reporting. The race shifted in July when Crowley dropped out to support Rodriguez, whom he viewed as an establishment candidate. Rodriguez dropped out days later after discovering her campaign possessed less money than previously reported.
Crowley subsequently returned to the campaign trail as a centrist Democrat, stating in a debate that he originally based his suspension on flawed data. Former Lieutenant Governor Barnes then withdrew on July 30, less than two weeks before the primary. Barnes stated that it was becoming clear who the Democratic nominee would be, pointing to Hong. CBS News noted that Barnes’ announcement coincided with a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation into allegations that he used his role in the party to pursue sexual encounters with young adult women. Barnes did not address the allegations and faced no criminal charges.
Social Media Scrutiny and National Spotlight
The departure of other candidates left the contest as a head-to-head race between Crowley and Hong, drawing intense national attention. Hong faced negative press after social media posts from 2019 to 2021 surfaced during the campaign. According to CBS News, those posts included calls to defund the police, abolish ICE and the United States Senate, and cancel Thanksgiving. Hong also posted criticism of a rural Wisconsin location of the Culver’s restaurant chain, writing that it contained too many old white people who did not think English was spoken. Hong subsequently walked back her stance on abolishing the Senate and told Politico that Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday.
Tonight’s all about @DavidCCrowley. He’s earned this win and the accolades. I am so proud of David—he’s the future of our Party, and I can’t wait for him to be our next governor. For now, we polka. Tomorrow, we’re back at work to win.
Tony Evers via CBS News