Wisconsin Democrats plan unity tour after intense gubernatorial primary
Wisconsin Democrats are planning a statewide unity tour immediately after their recent primary, aiming to move past internal divisions and present a united front. The initial event is a Wednesday breakfast with key democratic leaders Tammy Baldwin, Mark Pocan, and likely Governor Tony Evers, followed by a rally in Milwaukee with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. This effort responds to a contentious primary marked by clashes between progressive and centrist Democrats regarding the party’s future, especially in a state narrowly carried by Trump in 2024.
Francesca Hong, a self-described socialist, has emerged as the front-runner despite some resistance from moderate Democrats. She leads with about 26% support in polls, with other candidates like Crowley and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes trailing. Hong faces scrutiny over her national progressive ties,as prominent figures like alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have not endorsed her,and she has made controversial social media posts. She has distanced herself from these comments.
Candidates are also focusing on electability ahead of the upcoming general election against Republican Tom Tiffany. While Hong has expressed willingness to campaign for the Democratic nominee if she wins, Evers and Crowley remain noncommittal about endorsing her should she become the nominee, emphasizing the importance of uniting to win in November.
Wisconsin Democrats are planning a statewide unity tour immediately after Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary as the party seeks to turn the page on a chaotic and ideologically divisive contest, according to Politico.
The first stop is expected to be a breakfast on Wednesday morning featuring the Democratic ticket, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI). Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) is also reportedly likely to attend. A rally is planned for Milwaukee on Wednesday evening, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley expected to participate even if he loses the primary.
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The effort comes after a contentious primary in which progressive and centrist Democrats clashed over the party’s direction and whether a more progressive candidate can win statewide in Wisconsin, which President Donald Trump narrowly carried in 2024.
State Rep. Francesca Hong, a self-described socialist, emerged as the front-runner despite resistance from some centrist Democrats. The race has been fluid, with several candidates entering and exiting the contest in the weeks leading up to the primary.
State Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes both ended their campaigns, leaving Crowley, who has the backing of the retiring Evers, as Hong’s primary challenger.
A late July Marquette Law School poll found Hong leading the Democratic field with 26% support. Barnes, who was still in the race when the survey was conducted, had 16%, while Crowley had 7%. About 34% of Democratic primary voters remained undecided.
Hong has also faced questions about her standing with the national progressive movement. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have not endorsed her, despite backing progressive candidates in other races. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), asked about Hong during a brief hallway interview, said, “I don’t know her.”
Hong has also faced criticism over past social media posts calling for the cancellation of Thanksgiving and defunding the police. She has since distanced herself from those comments, describing them as “bad takes.”
With the primary nearing its conclusion, electability has been a central concern for Democrats as candidates seek to demonstrate that they can assemble a broad coalition capable of defeating presumptive Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in November.
Asked Saturday whether she would endorse and campaign for Crowley if he won the primary, she said “Yes.”
The sitting governor, however, declined Friday to commit to endorsing or campaigning alongside Hong if she wins the nomination.
“I want to have a chance to take a breath, and once that’s in a position, we’ll see,” Evers said.
FRANCESCA HONG WANTS TO BE THE DSA’S FIRST GOVERNOR. TUESDAY MAY BRING HER CLOSER TO THE GOAL
Crowley was similarly noncommittal when asked whether he would campaign for Hong this fall if she wins the nomination.
“Ask her that too,” he said. “I want to be very clear: I’m not in this race running against any of my opponents. I’m running for the votes of Wisconsinites, and if they don’t choose me to be the nominee, my job is to make sure that it’s blue no matter who.”
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