Wisconsin’s Democratic primary overturns left‑wing momentum

Sun Sep 06 2026 09:42:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Centrist David Crowley's surprise win ends a series of victories for left‑wing Democrats, paving the way for Republican Tom Tiffany in the November showdown.

A late‑night projection has revealed that David Crowley won Wisconsin’s Democratic primary, stalling a trend of insurgent left‑wing candidates. Crowley, a former CEO of Milwaukee County, narrowly defeated assemblywoman Francesca Hong. The outcome ends a string of wins by progressive contenders across the country and sends an unexpected message to the national party. Crowley will now face Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in a closely watched November election.

Wisconsin’s Democratic primary overturns left‑wing momentum

David Crowley campaigning for Wisconsin governor

David Crowley has been projected a winner in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary, a surprise that stops a streak of left‑wing victories.

After almost all ballots were counted late on Tuesday, a projection from CBS News shows Crowley—identified as a centrist and the former CEO of Milwaukee County—defeating state assemblywoman and progressive contender Francesca Hong.

The outcome ends a string of wins for insurgent Democrats across the country, including recent victories by Abdul El‑Sayed in Michigan and members of the Democratic Socialists of America.

With the win, Crowley will campaign against Republican Tom Tiffany, who secured the GOP’s nomination in a much‑larger margin.

The race raises questions about the reach of Democratic Socialists and their influence on the party’s future, especially as the November midterms could test their performance in the general election.

Crowley posted on X that it was time to “get to work” and emphasized “making life more affordable, strengthening our schools, creating good‑paying jobs and ensuring opportunity reaches every corner of Wisconsin.”

The outcome underscores the broader tension in U.S. politics between anti‑establishment movements and more centrist factions, and the strategic stakes of the upcoming state and national contests.