Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialist, has recently seen her campaign signs appear all over rural Wisconsin. As a single mother and small business owner, she presents a captivating backstory alongside a political agenda that leans significantly left of the state’s norm. Among her proposals are the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the introduction of universal healthcare. Right now, she is at the forefront of the Democratic candidates vying for governor.
This surge in support for Hong has ignited concern within the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Party leaders face a pressing challenge: adapt to a wave of socialist support or risk losing touch with the working-class electorate they’ll need in the upcoming November elections. The implications of this struggle could lead to a fractured coalition, undermining the Democrats’ aspirations for a robust electoral performance nationwide.
The situation in Wisconsin’s primary could highlight the limitations of this anticipated blue wave. A united Democratic Party is essential for asserting dominance across the nation, yet a divided coalition complicates that objective.
In contrast, Republicans have managed to maintain their focus. By the end of January, they had solidified support around Rep. Tom Tiffany, a former dam contractor from northwestern Wisconsin, while also significantly investing in the general election. Meanwhile, Democrats showcased seven candidates, many of whom were backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, such as two lieutenant governors, a Milwaukee County executive, a business leader, an attorney, a CEO, and a chef.
Kirk Bangstad, who owns Minocqua Brewing Company, briefly entered the race but withdrew after a few weeks, having failed to secure enough valid signatures for his campaign—a notable moment given his campaign’s quirky promise of free beer on the day Trump died.
The Democratic primary has turned into a highly dramatic affair. For months, insiders viewed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez as the frontrunner backed by prominent donors. With a healthcare background, Rodriguez framed her campaign around her roles as a nurse, wife, mother, and public servant.
Mandela Burns, a former lieutenant governor, also entered the fray, leaving Gov. Tony Evers’ administration to challenge Republican Sen. Ron Johnson. Despite spending a staggering $56 million, Burns lost and now carries the burden of disappointing major Democratic donors.
However, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has found himself gaining traction. Previously, his administration had allowed health insurance contracts for county employees to expire, resulting in thousands losing coverage, which sparked layoffs and eroded faith in his leadership. Eventually, Crowley chose to step aside in favor of Rodriguez, but once her campaign disclosed errors in finance reports and suspended its efforts, Crowley quickly re-entered the race, now backed by Evers. Thus, one damaged establishment candidate was swapped for another.
In this chaotic environment, Hong has made remarkable progress. She has reportedly garnered support from around 14,000 individual donors, collecting more than 22,000 donations with an average contribution just under $50—this showcases a real grassroots enthusiasm rather than reliance on affluent backers.
Her campaign advertisements have rapidly spread from rural communities to the urban centers, where her connection with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker resonated, especially regarding their calls to abolish prisons, defund the police, and eliminate the U.S. Senate. These are significant ideological rifts that present a challenge to the moderates within the party.
Wisconsin might not be the first place one expects to see a socialist breakthrough. Historical context shows that Milwaukee had three socialist mayors between 1910 and 1960, but over the last six decades, the state has been marked by intense political strife. The kind of New York City-style democratic socialism that Hong promotes might face harder scrutiny in areas dominated by working-class voters outside the progressive strongholds of Madison and Milwaukee.
However, neighboring states are on alert. Minnesota is seeing progressives like Omar Fateh, while Michigan has its own candidates making waves, suggesting that the Midwest might not be as resistant to leftist ideologies as some party leaders and Republicans believe.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial primary underscores a growing divide between the establishment Democrats and radical socialists. In the wake of Mr. Trump’s return to office in 2025, media focus has spotlighted an alleged civil war within Republican ranks, but those stories pale in comparison to the genuine leadership struggles facing the Democrats.
Many large donor platforms hesitate to support DSA candidates who struggle to attract independent backers. Conversely, younger activists are busy building formidable grassroots support for socialist candidates, with DSA membership growing, while overall Democratic Party membership remains relatively stagnant. This shift in energy and funding is noteworthy.
The tensions at play could undermine the Democrats’ ambitions for a blue wave come November. Party leaders are in search of moderate candidates who can appeal to undecided voters, yet their activist base pushes for those willing to abolish immigration enforcement, defund police, dismantle prisons, and challenge constitutional structures. It seems increasingly challenging to reconcile these divergent factions.
Moreover, the difficulties are not confined to Wisconsin. The struggles of candidates like Graham Platner in Maine hint at a wider existential debate regarding the identity and future of the Democratic Party.
Some of the party’s leaders may believe that anger at Trump will continue to fuel voters through the midterms, yet it’s clear that outrage alone cannot coalesce a coalition divided over whether reform or revolution best defines their mission.
Ultimately, the Wisconsin primary may shed light on the constraints of the anticipated blue wave—especially considering that a divided coalition can hardly command national power.
