Congressman Tom Tiffany has won the Republican nomination for governor of Wisconsin, while the Democratic primary between a democratic socialist and the party establishment’s preferred candidate remains too close to call.
With about three-quarters of the vote counted, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley led state Assembly member Francesca Hong by roughly half a percentage point.
What is the Democratic contest about?
Hong is a chef and bartender endorsed by Wisconsin chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America, and by Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna. Crowley has the backing of the retiring governor, Tony Evers.
Polling had pointed the other way. A survey released on 7 August put Hong at 44 per cent with Crowley about 20 points behind, and every early-August poll gave her a lead of 18 to 21 points.
| Race | Status |
|---|---|
| Republican primary | Tom Tiffany projected winner |
| Democratic primary | Too close to call |
| General election | 3 November 2026 |
Who is running for governor of Wisconsin?
Wisconsin held its partisan primary for governor on 11 August 2026, following the decision by Democratic Governor Tony Evers not to seek a third term. Congressman Tom Tiffany, endorsed by President Donald Trump, was projected to win the Republican nomination. The Democratic primary remained too close to call late on election night, with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley leading state Assembly member Francesca Hong by approximately half a percentage point with around three-quarters of votes counted. Hong is a democratic socialist and was the first Asian American elected to the Wisconsin state Assembly, in 2020. Crowley is endorsed by Evers. The field narrowed sharply in July when former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez both withdrew. Wisconsin primaries are decided by plurality with no runoff. The general election is scheduled for 3 November 2026.
How did the field narrow?
The race began crowded. Barnes, who lost the 2022 Senate contest by a single point, entered alongside Rodriguez, Crowley, Hong and others.
In July, Crowley withdrew and endorsed Rodriguez, who was seen as the establishment choice. Rodriguez then withdrew herself days later after discovering her campaign had less money than expected. Crowley re-entered. Barnes withdrew shortly after polling showed Hong ahead.
Why does it matter nationally?
Wisconsin is among the most closely contested states in United States presidential elections, and Republicans are seeking to take the governorship as Evers steps down.
The Democratic primary is also being read as a test of strength between the party’s progressive and moderate wings, following a series of democratic socialist wins in mayoral races and congressional primaries this year. A comparable contest was under way in Minnesota on the same night.
Update: Crowley wins
David Crowley won the Democratic primary by fewer than 3,500 votes, with the Associated Press calling the race after Francesca Hong conceded early on Wednesday, removing the possibility of a recount. The margin was under one percentage point.
Reporting of about 28,000 absentee ballots from Milwaukee was delayed until the early hours after what the city’s election chief described as a human error in uploading data.
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Sources for this report
The Redline News Desk
The Redline News desk files and edits world reporting. Every story carries the sources it was built from, and corrections are published on the story itself.
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