David Crowley is projected to have won the Democratic primary election for Wisconsin governor, narrowly defeating democratic socialist Francesca Hong in a surprise result that halts a winning streak for the party's left wing.

With almost all votes counted in the Midwestern state, Crowley, the more centrist candidate, secured the victory according to a projection made early on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, by CBS News, a partner of the BBC.

Anti-establishment Democrats had previously recorded wins across the US that had unsettled party leadership in Washington. Crowley, who is the chief executive officer of Milwaukee County, posted on X that it was time to "get to work." He reiterated his missions as "making life more affordable, strengthening our schools, creating good-paying jobs, and making sure opportunity reaches every corner of our state."

Crowley will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the November midterm elections. Tiffany, a US congressman, easily won the Republican primary and has the backing of US President Donald Trump. The Wisconsin gubernatorial race is expected to be closely contested and carries wider implications for control of the US Congress.

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, Darline Graham Nordone advanced to a run-off vote later this month in a special Republican primary for the US Senate following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham.

AP News reported that Francesca Hong conceded the race to Crowley, with her campaign manager stating Hong was "proud of the race we ran."

Sources