Wisconsin Emerges as Key Battlefield for Democrats' Future

WHO:

ABC News - Sarah Miller, a software engineer from Madison, Wisconsin.

ABC News - David Crowley, Milwaukee County executive.

ABC News - Francesca Hong, democratic socialist candidate.

ABC News - Tom Tiffany, Republican U.S. Representative.

ABC News - Tony Evers, two-term Governor of Wisconsin.

ABC News - Abdul El-Sayed, progressive candidate in Michigan.

ABC News - Mandela Barnes, former Lt. Gov. of Wisconsin.

ABC News - Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. candidate.

ABC News - Michael Gebben, a 64-year-old Democrat.

ABC News - Chris Vestin, a supporter of Hong.

ABC News - Lindsey Lee, a Crowley supporter.

WHAT:

ABC News - Crowley stated, “We need a trifecta,” emphasizing the importance of Democrats controlling both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's office.

ABC News - Crowley supporter Lindsey Lee remarked, “It’s like the last 50 yards of a horse race. Hong is obviously in the lead but Crowley is coming up on a side lane. I think it will be a photo finish.”

AP News - Crowley is aiming to become Wisconsin's first Black governor.

AP News - Tiffany had 10 times more cash on hand than either Hong or Crowley entering August.

ABC News - Crowley stated, “El-Sayed’s slim margin of victory does give me a little bit of hope.”

ABC News - Crowley emphasized, “We need a trifecta,” referring to the need for Democrats to control both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's office.

ABC News - Crowley is endorsed by Governor Tony Evers.

ABC News - Crowley is competing against Hong in the gubernatorial primary.

ABC News - A Marquette University Law School poll showed Hong with a significant lead among Democratic primary voters.

ABC News - More than 112,000 absentee ballots had been returned by the time the poll was released.

ABC News - Crowley withdrew from the race on July 8 and re-entered 10 days later.

ABC News - Crowley is aiming to become Wisconsin's first Black governor.

ABC News - Tiffany had 10 times more cash on hand than either Hong or Crowley entering August.

ABC News - Democrats are trying to hold onto the governor's office and flip both chambers of the Legislature.

WHERE:

ABC News - New Glarus, Wisconsin.

ABC News - Madison, Wisconsin.

ABC News - Wisconsin.

WHEN:

ABC News - The gubernatorial primary is scheduled for a Tuesday.

ABC News - Crowley withdrew from the race on July 8.

ABC News - Crowley re-entered the race 10 days later.

ABC News - The primary follows a week after El-Sayed's victory in Michigan.

WHY:

ABC News - Crowley is attempting to leverage Evers' popularity to gain support in the primary.

ABC News - Miller is voting for Crowley to ensure a win in the primary.

ABC News - Crowley is banking on Evers' popularity to gain support.

ABC News - The divide between progressives and moderates in the Democratic Party is a concern for voters.

HOW:

ABC News - Hong has clarified her past statements regarding defunding the police, now stating that she does not support abolishing the police.

ABC News - Crowley is focusing on undecided voters in his campaign.

ABC News - Hong has clarified her past statements regarding defunding the police.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:32 UTC)

In a competitive race for the Wisconsin governorship, Crowley is striving to become the state's first Black governor, emphasizing the need for Democrats to control both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's office. Supporters are comparing the contest to the final stretch of a horse race, with Hong currently in the lead but Crowley gaining momentum, suggesting it could be a close finish. Meanwhile, Tiffany enters August with a significant financial advantage, holding ten times more cash on hand than either Hong or Crowley, as Hong clarifies her stance on police funding, stating she does not support abolishing the police.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:22 UTC)

In a recent statement, Crowley expressed optimism about his campaign, saying, “El-Sayed’s slim margin of victory does give me a little bit of hope,” while also emphasizing the need for Democrats to secure control of both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's office, referring to it as a “trifecta.” Supporter Lindsey Lee compared the race to the final stretch of a horse race, noting that while Hong is currently in the lead, Crowley is gaining momentum and it could come down to a photo finish. Meanwhile, Hong has clarified her previous comments on police funding, now stating that she does not support abolishing the police.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 08:17 UTC)

David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, is aiming to become Wisconsin's first Black governor and has received an endorsement from two-term Governor Tony Evers as he competes against Francesca Hong in the gubernatorial primary. A recent Marquette University Law School poll shows Hong with a significant lead among Democratic primary voters, while Crowley is focusing on undecided voters and banking on Evers' popularity for support. As the primary approaches, more than 112,000 absentee ballots have already been returned, highlighting the urgency and stakes of this election.