David Crowley won a narrow victory over Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s primary, positioning him against Republican Tom Tiffany for the governor’s race. Tiffany is known for his unwavering support of former President Donald Trump. Crowley’s win comes amid Trump’s declining popularity in Wisconsin, a state with a history of tight elections.

Crowley intends to appeal to a broad range of voters, including Hong’s progressive supporters, in his campaign against Tiffany. He emphasized unity at a recent event with Hong and others. “This is about defeating a MAGA extremist,” Crowley said.

Former Republican Governor Scott Walker, a Trump ally, suggests Tiffany can shift the focus from his ties with Trump to local governance issues. Walker stated that the election is about choosing the next governor. Meanwhile, Dale Schultz, a critic of Trump, believes Crowley makes it harder for Tiffany by steering the discussion to crucial issues like healthcare and affordability.

Wisconsin remains a battleground state, with Trump securing victories in 2024 and 2016 but falling short in 2020. Crowley’s victory margin was about half a percentage point, emphasizing the state’s competitive nature. Democrats aim to use Trump’s approval difficulties to their advantage, seeking control over the governor’s office and the state legislature.

Crowley, who grew up in poverty, has been a prominent figure in Wisconsin politics. He was elected to the state Assembly in 2016 at 30 years old and later became the county executive of Milwaukee. In 2023, he worked with the Republican-controlled Legislature to secure a bipartisan aid package for Milwaukee. Crowley launched his gubernatorial campaign almost a year ago but temporarily withdrew due to a lack of a clear path to victory. He re-entered the race with strong support from Democratic Governor Tony Evers.

Tiffany criticized Crowley by linking him to Hong, emphasizing what he sees as fiscal mismanagement. Republican strategist Rusty Schultz suggested Crowley might struggle to rally young voters who had backed Hong in the primary. Crowley’s historic nomination makes him the first Black person to seek the office of governor in Wisconsin. He stated, “This historic moment is not lost on me. But I’m focused on the job ahead.”