MADISON, WI —

The left faced a notable setback on Tuesday courtesy of the more centrist faction within the party, adding to the ongoing discussion about its ideological direction.

This comes just a week after Abdul El-Sayed, a far-left candidate, edged out moderate Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. In another crucial battleground state, Wisconsin, state Rep. Francesca Hong, who was vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, also experienced an upset on Tuesday.

Hong, affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America and representing Madison, Wisconsin, lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, as reported by the Associated Press.

In the upcoming general election, Crowley is expected to face Republican candidate Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is aligned with the far-right House Freedom Caucus and enjoys the backing of Donald Trump. This race is perceived as a significant moment for the Republican Party.

Crowley secured strong support from outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who cautioned that Hong’s primary win could threaten the Democrats’ hold on the governorship.

With Evers deciding not to pursue a third term, this election marks the first time in 16 years that Democrats will select a candidate without an incumbent governor on the ballot.

The primary was closely observed as an early indication of whether Wisconsin Democrats lean more towards the party’s progressive element or its establishment side, with the winner moving on to a critical general election in a key state.

Hong, a 37-year-old former chef and single mother, had garnered support from notable progressives, such as Rep. Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Rep. Ro Khanna from California, both of whom could potentially run for the presidency in 2028. Surprisingly, Sen. Bernie Sanders, known for his support of leftist candidates, announced last week that he would not endorse Hong, citing a lack of familiarity with her campaign.

Hong’s platform includes proposals for guaranteed paid leave, raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour, and a one-year pause on the construction of AI data centers in Wisconsin. Despite facing scrutiny for past social media remarks advocating for police defunding and abolition, she has since distanced herself from that stance, asserting, “I take public safety seriously.” Hong emphasized, “I’m not defunding the police or abolishing them.”

Recently, she also faced criticism after a 2020 social media post suggesting the cancellation of Thanksgiving to protest colonialism resurfaced. Following backlash, she retracted the comment, claiming Thanksgiving as her favorite holiday and stating she has since “evolved” and “learned.”

Two other potential Democratic candidates, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sarah Rodriguez and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Burns, dropped out of the race over the summer. Crowley, who had previously suspended his campaign in support of Rodriguez, has now reentered the race.

Crowley received backing from Governor Evers in the closing stages of the primary election, amidst rising concerns that a Hong nomination might give Tiffany an edge in the race.

An anonymous Wisconsin Democratic strategist expressed fears that Hong’s lead could diminish the Democratic vote margin in crucial Congressional and legislative contests across the Midwest.

Additionally, pro-Republican super PACs, including those linked to the Republican Governors Association, have reportedly invested millions to support Hong in the primary, viewing her as a weaker Democratic contender.

Tiffany, anticipating his match-up with Hong in the general election, declared in a Fox News Digital interview that Wisconsin “will be a firewall… We’ll be the place to stop socialism.”

Regarding doubts about her election prospects, Hong told Fox News, “This election belongs to the voters, and we’re letting the voters decide…We’re focused on engaging with them right up until Election Day.”