State Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley are competing for the Democratic nomination for governor, with electability and ideology at the center of the debate.

Wisconsin Democrats are heading into a primary election Tuesday featuring a contest between state Representative Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Hong, a democratic socialist, leads in polling, while Crowley has the backing of outgoing Governor Tony Evers. The race has centered on concerns regarding which candidate is better positioned to defeat Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in the general election.

Divergent Campaign Strategies

Hong has campaigned on a platform focused on affordability, including proposals to raise the state minimum wage to $20 and implement a one-year moratorium on data center construction. She argues that her populist approach can build a broad coalition of voters. Conversely, Crowley advocates for a more moderate path, emphasizing his ability to negotiate and work across the political spectrum. He has explicitly opposed the data center moratorium, arguing it would hinder local economic development.

Concerns Over Electability

The primary has highlighted deep divisions within the state party. Many establishment Democrats and some voters have expressed concern that Hong’s past social media posts—including comments about defunding the police—could make her vulnerable in a general election. While Hong has stated she will not defund the police and has sought to address her past remarks, some supporters and party members remain worried about her electability in a battleground state that has never elected a non-white male governor.