Milwaukee County recently announced a vote update, revealing that David Crowley gained an additional 1,194 votes over Francesca Hong. Crowley’s campaign remains optimistic, with a spokesperson noting that the final results are still pending, and expressing hope while acknowledging that the outcome is uncertain until all votes are counted.

Late-deciding voters in Madison have shared varied opinions on the candidates. Ali Plummer, one voter, expressed support for Crowley despite backing many of Hong’s positions, citing concerns about electability in Wisconsin.

“I voted for Crowley because I am a risk-averse person,” Plummer stated. “We have to beat Tom Tiffany, so I voted for David Crowley.”

Meanwhile, Milwaukee County’s vote count faces delays. Tens of thousands of absentee ballots remain uncounted and should be processed overnight. This closely contested race follows a volatile campaign period, marked by a significant number of undecided voters shifting toward Crowley in the final days.

Francesca Hong’s campaign saw her securing 40% of the vote, consistent with a Marquette Law School poll from July showing her at 38%. The poll also highlighted a large undecided voter base, at 34%, and only 7% for Crowley initially. Crowley’s campaign received a boost after former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes dropped out, prompting Crowley to restart his campaign and secure Gov. Tony Evers’ endorsement.

The influence of Crowley’s campaign efforts, alongside increased scrutiny of Hong’s past statements, has resulted in a competitive race. At the same time, Mike Lindell’s loss in Minnesota’s gubernatorial primary further impacts Trump’s endorsement record, marking the third setback for a Trump-backed candidate in such races.

With 83% of the vote counted, Hong leads Crowley by 307 votes—although both candidates have performed competitively in Milwaukee and Dane Counties, two Democratic strongholds with significant outstanding absentee votes. Crowley could face challenges with mail-in votes, potentially reducing his advantage due to a lack of campaigning during July.

In Vermont, economist Amanda Janoo has won the Democratic primary for governor, while Michael Alfonso secured victory in the Republican primary in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.

The race remains too close to call with both Crowley and Hong competitive in key counties. Many voters in the Democratic primary are choosing between candidates based on perceived electability against Republicans in upcoming elections, complicating the decision further.

This ongoing battle in Wisconsin underscores the constant tension between the Democratic Party’s ideological divides and electability considerations. As results continue to unfold, the Democratic primary stands as a pivotal moment in the political landscape, with potential implications for future electoral contests.