Moderate Crowley narrowly beats democratic socialist Hong in Wisconsin

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated state Rep.

Francesca Hong , a democratic socialist , in Tuesday's Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, the Associated Press reports.

Why it matters: Hong's loss blunts progressives' recent momentum and hands moderate Democrats a chance to prove their electability in a crucial battleground state in November Crowley will vie to become Wisconsin's first Black governor.

Driving the news: Crowley managed to edge out Hong by about 3,000 votes Tuesday, with 98% of the votes counted .

Zoom out: The chaotic primary left moderate Democrats fractured, as some pursued other offices and others ended their campaigns over fundraising problems, lack of support or personal scandals.

Hong made her working-class background central to her pitch to voters: A single mom and longtime service worker, she dropped out of college to cook full-time, rising from dishwasher to executive chef before co-owning a restaurant that closed in 2024 after years of financial strain that began during the pandemic.

She faced scrutiny over past positions and social media posts she later walked back , including calls to defund the police and criticism of Thanksgiving as a racist holiday.

Crowley similarly leaned on his own hardscrabble Milwaukee story : His family was once homeless, and he rose from community organizer to state lawmaker and eventually county executive.

The intrigue: Hong fell short without the traditional heavyweight endorsements from the left's biggest stars.

Sen.

Bernie Sanders and New York Rep.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declined to endorse Hong, focusing instead on congressional races.

Her opponent, Crowley, was backed by the state's top Democrat, Gov.

Tony Evers, who said he offered Democrats their best chance to win.