MADISON, Wis. (AP) 鈥� David Crowley’s primary win over a democratic socialist sets up a Wisconsin governor’s race against a Republican congressman who has voted with President Donald Trump 100% of the time, potentially giving moderate Democrats as Trump’s sag in the swing state.
Crowley overcame Francesca Hong in Tuesday’s primary, stunning pundits and pollsters who had long placed Hong as the frontrunner. That means Crowley’s challenger, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, must pivot to face a Democrat known for working across the aisle with Republicans as the county executive in Milwaukee, the state鈥檚 largest source of Democratic voters.
Crowley immediately leans into Tiffany’s ties with Trump
In his first comments Wednesday after his win, Crowley linked Tiffany to Trump and called him a 鈥淢AGA extremist,鈥� referring to the president’s Make America Great Again movement. Crowley promised to build a broad coalition to defeat Tiffany, who he accused of being in 鈥渓ockstep鈥� with Trump.
鈥淭he biggest difference between me and the congressman is I’m loyal to the people of Wisconsin, I’m not loyal to MAGA,鈥� Crowley said.
It will be easier for Tiffany to pivot away from his ties with Trump and unpopular federal policies because he鈥檚 running for governor and not Congress, said former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, a Trump supporter.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got to be on point, on message every time that comes up and say, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 not what鈥檚 on the ballot,鈥欌�� Walker told The Associated Press. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 on the ballot is who鈥檚 going to be governor the next four years.鈥�
Tiffany represents a broad swath of Wisconsin鈥檚 rural, conservative north woods. Trump won the state in 2024 and 2016, but lost in 2020. All three elections were decided by less than a percentage point. Crowley鈥檚 win on Tuesday was even more narrow 鈥� less than half a point, further cementing Wisconsin鈥檚 well-earned place as one of the most purple states in the country.
Democrats look for a trifecta in Wisconsin
Democrats have been savoring the shift in focus from their to the general election against Tiffany, an opponent they鈥檝e long seen as vulnerable. They hope to capitalize on Trump鈥檚 low approval ratings to retain control of the governor鈥檚 office and flip both chambers of the Legislature to earn for the first time since 2010.
Just as Crowley highlighted his Republican opponent’s ties to Trump, Tiffany began the general election campaign with a message connecting Crowley to Hong.
鈥淚鈥檝e said all along that there鈥檚 not a dime鈥檚 worth of difference between these Democrat candidates,鈥� Tiffany said in a statement Wednesday. 鈥淗is record in Milwaukee County shows exactly what Wisconsin would get: mismanage the government, run up the bill, and raise your taxes to pay for it.鈥�
Walker said Tiffany’s messaging was on point. 鈥淗igh taxes, high costs, failing schools 鈥� make that the definition of David Crowley,鈥� Walker said.
Crowley’s surprise win came after he had dropped out of the race
Crowley has been the head of Wisconsin’s largest county since 2020. Prior to that, he served just over three years in the state Assembly. In 2023, as county executive, Crowley helped spearhead a in the Legislature that sent more state aid to Milwaukee and local communities.
Crowley dropped out of the governor鈥檚 race on July 8, saying he didn鈥檛 see a path to victory. He on July 18, less than a month before Tuesday鈥檚 primary. With the backing of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a fellow moderate who crisscrossed the state with him in the final week, Crowley pulled out the narrow win on the argument that he was the better matchup against Tiffany.
鈥淥bviously Hong was the never-ending gift in terms of , wasn鈥檛 really ready for prime time,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淏ut Crowley didn鈥檛 get any real scrutiny either.鈥�
Crowley planned to appear at a unity event later Wednesday with Democratic leaders, including U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, before launching a statewide tour. Evers is not seeking a third term as governor.
Crowley, 40, became the first Black person to win a major party nomination for Wisconsin governor. Now he’s vying to become the first Black governor of the state.
鈥淭his historic moment is not lost on me. But I’m not even thinking about that because we’ve still got work to do,鈥� Crowley said. 鈥淭he job is not done. The job is not finished. My job is not to become the first, and if I do become the first, my job is to make sure I’m not the last.”
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