Democratic socialist Francesca Hong lost the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary, sparking debate among progressives over candidate quality and the role of national leaders.

Democratic socialist Francesca Hong lost Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, a result that has prompted internal debate regarding the strength of the far-left movement. While other progressives, such as Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, recently secured primary victories, Hong’s campaign struggled to gain national backing. The loss has led to finger-pointing among activists over whether the outcome was due to candidate flaws or a lack of support from national figures.

Debate over national support

Prominent national figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, did not endorse Hong, a decision that drew criticism from some within the movement. Supporters of Hong argued that a rally or public backing from these leaders could have secured her a win. Conversely, some strategists suggested the institutional left stayed away due to concerns about her viability as a general election candidate, citing past missteps in other races.

Differing views on the movement

Some progressives argued that Hong’s loss should not be viewed as a referendum on the broader movement, pointing to the success of other candidates like Peggy Flanagan, who won her Minnesota Senate primary by 20 points. Others, including some Wisconsin Democratic operatives, suggested that while there is an appetite for progressive ideas, there is a ceiling for democratic socialist candidates in the state. Meanwhile, some organizers noted that Hong still performed competitively, finishing within a few thousand votes of the candidate favored by Gov. Tony Evers.