The Democratic primary remains too close to call as absentee ballots delay final results
Category: Politics
Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor is a nail-biter, with state Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley separated by less than a percentage point as of early Wednesday morning. The race, which has captivated the attention of national political observers, was expected to favor Hong, a democratic socialist, but Crowley’s unexpected resurgence has made the outcome uncertain.
As of 10 p.m. on August 11, 2026, the primary election results showed Crowley leading with approximately 39.9% of the vote compared to Hong’s 39.6%, according to the Associated Press. With over 700,000 votes cast, the margin between the two candidates is razor-thin, amounting to about 3,000 votes. A total of four Democratic candidates were vying for the nomination, including former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan and state Sen. Kelda Roys, who trailed with single-digit percentages.
The primary is particularly competitive due to the open seat created by outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who chose not to run for a third term. Both candidates have faced scrutiny and challenges throughout the campaign, with Crowley initially dropping out in July before re-entering with Evers’ endorsement after other candidates dropped out.
This primary is a key moment for the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, a battleground state that has seen its political dynamics shift dramatically over the past decade. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on low approval ratings for President Donald Trump to regain control of the governor’s office and possibly flip both chambers of the Legislature. The eventual Democratic nominee will face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who won his primary easily and is already framing the election as a fight against “extreme Madison socialism.”
Hong, 37, has energized a progressive base with her platform advocating for universal healthcare, free childcare, and a moratorium on artificial intelligence data center construction. Her candidacy has sparked enthusiasm among younger voters, but concerns linger about her electability in a general election. Critics within her party worry that her leftist positions could alienate moderate and independent voters, which are key in a closely divided state.
Crowley, 40, has positioned himself as a moderate alternative with bipartisan appeal, which he hopes will resonate with voters wary of Hong’s more progressive policies. Evers’ endorsement has bolstered his campaign significantly, as the governor campaigned with him in the final week, arguing that Crowley is the candidate most likely to defeat Tiffany in November. “He gets stuff done,” Evers said, emphasizing Crowley’s administrative experience.
In the closing days of the campaign, Crowley capitalized on Hong’s struggles, particularly her controversial past comments that have drawn criticism from both within and outside the party. Prominent progressives like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders did not endorse her, raising doubts about her viability as a general election candidate. As the race tightened, some voters expressed concern about the implications of a Hong nomination, fearing it might make it easier for Tiffany to win in November.
As the final results are awaited, attention turns to the approximately 28,000 absentee ballots from Milwaukee County that have yet to be processed. The delay, attributed to a human error involving missing data, could be decisive in determining the primary winner. If the margin remains within 1%, the second-place candidate can request a recount, which could complicate the timeline for finalizing the results.
The Democratic nominee will need to unify the party quickly to prepare for the general election against Tiffany, who is already framing the race as a stark choice between his conservative platform and what he describes as Hong’s extreme leftism. Both candidates have expressed a willingness to unite behind the eventual nominee, but the path to achieving that unity remains uncertain.
As the political stakes rise, this primary serves as a microcosm of the broader struggles within the Democratic Party, balancing the demands of its progressive wing against the need for electability in a swing state. With the general election just weeks away, how the party responds to these challenges will be closely monitored by political analysts and voters alike.