Wisconsin Democrats narrowly chose Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley over state Rep. Francesca Hong in the crucial swing state, handing the gubernatorial nomination to a more moderate candidate in a key test of socialism’s growing influence within the Democratic Party.
Despite holding double-digit leads in most polls ahead of Election Day, Hong, a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member with a history of controversial statements, ultimately fell short after retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and other party heavyweights rallied behind Crowley, calling him "the future of the party."
Crowley will face Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, a House Freedom Caucus member who is backed by President Donald Trump, in a November showdown expected to draw national attention.
But as Crowley pivots to the general election after emerging as the Democratic establishment’s choice over Hong and the party’s progressive wing, questions remain over just how moderate Crowley is.
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Crowley appeared alongside Hong at a Wisconsin Democrats unity breakfast in Middleton on Wednesday before kicking off a five-day, 17-stop statewide tour with lieutenant governor nominee Sarah Godlewski. Speaking to reporters after the breakfast, Crowley thanked Hong for her "work" and "leadership" while vowing to win over her supporters and unite the party.
"We may not agree on everything, but it doesn't mean that we can't come to the negotiating table and figure out how we bring everybody under this big tent," he said. "The Democrats, we are a big tent. We should not be focusing on kicking people from under, saying that they don't belong within this tent."
Crowley credited Evers, who joined him on the campaign trail, as the "secret weapon" for his primary victory. In an early Wednesday morning post on X, Evers wrote, "Tonight's all about @DavidCCrowley. He's earned this win and the accolades. I am so proud of David — he's the future of our Party, and I can't wait for him to be our next governor."
Turning his attention to Tiffany, Crowley added the general election will offer a "stark contrast."
"This isn't insider versus outsider," he said. "This is Democrats defeating the MAGA extremists and Congressman Tom Tiffany."
The Milwaukee native worked as a community organizer before winning election to the Wisconsin State Assembly and becoming the first Black person elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020. He has leaned heavily on his working-class upbringing, with his campaign website saying he "wasn’t fed by a silver spoon" and grew up amid his parents’ struggles with addiction and mental health issues and repeated family evictions.
Crowley’s path to the nomination took an unexpected turn when he dropped out of the race in early July over a lack of a clear path forward and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Just 10 days later, Crowley, who admitted to the Guardian that he and his wife went back and forth about re-entering the race, jumped back in after his wife said her prayers were answered.
Crowley’s wife, in his telling, asked God in prayer to send her a clear sign — a red bird — to indicate if her husband should revive his gubernatorial campaign. Just before receiving a call informing her that Rodriguez had dropped out, she says she saw a red cardinal, a common bird in Wisconsin.
Crowley’s platform also includes affordable housing, universal early childhood education, expanded healthcare, clean energy investments, stronger voting rights and requiring "mega-users like data centers to pay the full cost of grid upgrades they drive," his campaign website said.
He has been a vocal critic of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), telling WISN 12’s "UPFRONT" in February that he doesn’t see "any scenario where we would want to partner with ICE."
Crowley and his allies warned that a Hong primary victory could threaten Democratic control of the governor’s office and give Republicans a key flip opportunity. Evers’ decision not to seek a third term gave Democrats their first chance in 16 years to choose a nominee without an incumbent governor on the ballot.
"People don't like socialists," Crowley told an Axios reporter days before the election. "Socialists didn't poll very good. … And so it's leading me to believe that she can't win."
Ahead of the primary, Evers told WISN 12 on Monday that while he would support Hong if she won, "that’s not going to happen," a prediction that ultimately proved correct.
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Democratic leaders quickly threw their support behind Crowley.
Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Chair and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated Crowley Wednesday, saying he would continue to "build on this record of fighting for working families and work with both parties to grow the state’s economy, strengthen the middle class, bring down costs, and invest in Wisconsin’s kids."
"The DGA looks forward to working with him to keep this seat in Democratic hands," Beshear said.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker said the party was "proud to endorse and throw its full support behind" Crowley, arguing that the tough primary battle proved he was ready to take on Tiffany in the general election.
"Unlike Donald Trump’s hand-picked nominee, MAGA extremist Congressman Tom Tiffany, David Crowley has proven through a competitive primary that he is battle-tested and ready to win in November. Wisconsin Democrats across the state are united and fired up to join David Crowley in his fight to lower costs for Wisconsinites and take on Congressman Tom Tiffany and his extreme MAGA policies," Remiker said in a Wednesday statement.
He added that Crowley’s nomination would unite the party and mark another step in defeating Republican-backed efforts in Wisconsin.
In another swipe at President Trump and Tiffany, Crowley's campaign manager Garren Randolph accused the pair of "division and extremism" in a victory statement posted to Crowley’s X account Wednesday morning.
"Now, David is focused on bringing people together, earning the support of Democrats, Republicans, independents, and anyone who believes Wisconsin is at its best when we work together and deliver results," Randolph said. "The choice in November has always been clear. We can move Wisconsin forward with leadership focused on solving problems, or we can bring the division and extremism of Tom Tiffany and Donald Trump to Wisconsin. David is ready to get back to work, build a broad coalition, and win in November."
Fox News Digital reached out to Crowley’s campaign for comment.
