Wisconsin swing state politics are in sharp focus as democratic socialist Francesca Hong and centrist David Crowley sit neck-and-neck in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to election results reported by The Associated Press. The tight race highlights a broader ideological split within the party between establishment moderates and progressive candidates running across multiple states.
Wisconsin Democratic Primary Shows Deep Party Divisions
With 94 percent of votes counted by Wednesday morning, according to The Associated Press, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leads slightly with 39.9 percent of the vote. Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong closely trails at 39.5 percent, leaving the two candidates separated by less than one percentage point. Crowley enters the race backed by current Governor Tony Evers. Meanwhile, Hong’s platform features progressive policies such as abolishing the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, implementing a one-year moratorium on new data centres, and raising taxes on corporations and billionaires.
Public opinion data reflects growing momentum for these left-leaning economic proposals among primary voters. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that more than seven in ten self-identified liberal Democrats consider it essential for party candidates to support universal government-provided healthcare, abortion access expansion, and higher corporate taxes. Unlike progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed—who won the Michigan Democratic Senate primary earlier this month—Hong secured her spot without endorsements from prominent national figures like Senator Bernie Sanders or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Did you know?
The winner of the Wisconsin Democratic primary will advance to face US Representative Tom Tiffany, who secured the Republican nomination with 95.3 percent of the vote ahead of the November general election, according to AP figures.
Minnesota Progressives Score Wins While Trump Endorsements Face Mixed Results
Progressive momentum also shaped the Upper Midwest primaries in Minnesota. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated moderate Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary, capturing 59 percent of the vote compared to Craig’s 39.4 percent with 99 percent of ballots counted, according to AP data. Flanagan previously won election on a joint ticket with Governor Tim Walz in 2018.
At the same time, Republican primary results in Minnesota challenged the electoral impact of presidential endorsements. Former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell lost the Republican gubernatorial nomination to Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Lisa Demuth, despite receiving a vocal endorsement from Donald Trump in May via Truth Social. Demuth secured 43.4 percent of the vote to Lindell’s 32.5 percent with nearly all votes tallied. Demuth now prepares for a general election contest against Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Alabama Congressional Primary and South Carolina Run-Offs
In Alabama, presidential backing yielded a win for Rhett Marques in the Republican primary for the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District, capturing 50 percent of the vote ahead of Hampton Harris at 21.6 percent, according to The Associated Press. The Supreme Court ruled in April that Louisiana Republicans could redraw electoral maps, a decision that eliminated one of two majority-Black districts and increased Republican prospects to flip the seat currently held by Democrat Shomari Figures.
South Carolina voters will return to the polls on August 25 to decide the Republican nomination for the US Senate seat following the death of Lindsey Graham. Darline Graham, appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of her brother’s term, advanced to a runoff after securing 32.7 percent of the vote among 10 candidates. She will face US Representative Ralph Norman, who finished second with 24.7 percent of the vote, according to AP reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leading candidates in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary?
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong are separated by less than one percentage point, with Crowley holding 39.9 percent and Hong holding 39.5 percent of the vote with 94 percent counted, according to The Associated Press.
Who won the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Minnesota?
Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Lisa Demuth won the Republican nomination with 43.4 percent of the vote, defeating Trump-backed candidate Mike Lindell, according to AP data.
Who will Darline Graham face in the South Carolina Senate runoff?
Darline Graham will face US Representative Ralph Norman in the August 25 runoff election for the Republican nomination for South Carolina’s US Senate seat.
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