Francesca Hong Could Reshape the Democratic Party’s Future in Wisconsin

The Democratic Party could take another decisive turn as Francesca Hong faces David Crowley for the gubernatorial nomination on Tuesday.

Hong is a state legislator and member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Crowley is viewed as the establishment candidate, being endorsed by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. Tuesday’s open primary race is another instance of centrist Democrats attempting to keep control of their party as they face off against a strong progressive fringe.

In the last year alone, dozens of candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America have clinched their party’s nomination. These include Abdul El-Sayed, in the Michigan Senate race, and Zohran Mamdani, in the New York City mayoral race.

Although Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, remains optimistic about the outcome, polls indicate that Hong has a fair chance of securing the Democratic Party’s support.

“You know, it’s the only time I know that Gov. Tony Evers, the Republican Governors Association, and Turning Point USA have ever been on the same page—in thinking that Francesca Hong is the best candidate to lose this race,” Crowley said at campaign event on Friday.

More of the Same?

Crowley, who has been characterized as part of the Wisconsin Democratic establishment, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2017 to 2020 before working as a county executive. He has the endorsement of Evers, the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Laborers District Council. He also has the support of Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., the whip of the Congressional Black Caucus.

In the state assembly, Crowley “led passage of Wisconsin Act 12,” a landmark bipartisan revenue reform that overhauled state and local revenue sharing. As county executive, he signed the largest property tax cut in Milwaukee County history.

In his current run for governor, Crowley has promised to expand child care, back electoral redistricting, and push for universal early childhood education.

Democratic Socialism?

Hong, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, has campaigned on a platform of universal child care, gender-affirming care, increased rental regulations, and “taxing the rich,” according to her campaign website.

During her campaign, Hong stood alongside Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who advocated for similar policies while serving in the Minnesota State Assembly. At the start of 2026, Omar’s congressional district was home to widespread health care, day care, and education fraud.

On her website, Hong calls for fully abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and giving illegal aliens government-issued IDs as well as in-state college tuition.

Like Mamdani, Hong also has promised to create taxpayer-funded grocery stores while abolishing taxes imposed on unions.

Other policies Hong supports include abolishing life sentences for juveniles, legalizing marijuana, and enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution.

Hasan Piker

If Hong were to clinch the nomination on Tuesday, she could be campaigning with Turkish-heritage online streamer Hasan Piker again.

Piker, a self-proclaimed socialist with a net worth between $2 million and $8 million, has generated controversy for many past comments, including that America “deserved 9/11.”

The streamer also called for the murder of Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and other capitalists, and said that Western countries need to import more immigrants so that they can forcibly breed with white women to “abolish the white race.”

On Monday, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., wrote an op-ed for The Free Press in which he condemned figures like Piker for attempting to “hijack” the Democratic Party’s “values, ideals, and leadership.”