David Crowley (D) defeated Joel Brennan (D), Francesca Hong (D), and Kelda Roys (D) in the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin on August 11, 2026.
Incumbent Tony Evers (D) did not run for re-election. Evers endorsed Crowley. Wisconsin Public Radio's Shawn Johnson and Rich Kremer said Evers' endorsement "underscored a schism in the state Democratic Party between traditional Democrats and Madison Rep. Francesca Hong, the democratic socialist who has energized the party’s progressive base."
Politico's Tyler Katzenberger, Will Steakin, and Lisa Kashinsky said, "Democratic socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong is surging, alarming centrist Democrats who fear her unabashed leftism may torpedo what should be a winnable race against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in a key swing state ... [Hong] dismissed concerns about her electability in interviews with POLITICO earlier in the week. She pointed to the vast volunteer network, online enthusiasm and anti-establishment fervor fueling her campaign."
