The Progressive Pinata: What Wisconsin’s Primary Tells Us About the Democratic Party’s Future

The Wisconsin primary election results have left many on the left wondering if the progressive movement has finally reached its limits. After a strong showing from Democratic socialist Francesca Hong, it seemed like a done deal – she would be the party’s nominee for governor, carrying the torch of a growing progressive wave that’s been sweeping across the country.

However, in a stunning upset, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley managed to eke out a win by just a few thousand votes. This may seem like a setback for progressive forces, but it’s actually a sign that their message is resonating with voters – and that the Democratic Party needs to take them seriously.

The swift downfall of Hong’s campaign was largely due to old tweets resurfacing about canceling Thanksgiving or defunding the police. These issues had been relatively minor during the primary but became a major liability for Hong in the final stretch. It’s clear that voters are eager to see more concrete policy proposals from progressive candidates – and less emphasis on ideological purity.

Despite this loss, Hong’s campaign was not just about winning an election – it was also about building a grassroots movement that could help shape the party’s agenda. And in that sense, she has been remarkably successful. The Madison chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America saw its numbers grow significantly during her campaign, and her razor-thin loss shows that people want “big, significant changes” to the status quo.

This outcome suggests that the party needs to take a more nuanced approach to electoral strategy. Rather than relying on ideological purity tests, they need to find ways to build coalitions and appeal to a broader range of voters.

The Establishment Strikes Back

However, there’s another way to look at this election – as a rebuke of the progressive movement’s growing influence within the Democratic Party. Crowley’s campaign was bankrolled by outgoing Governor Tony Evers, who threw his support behind Crowley in the final stretch. This raises questions about whether the party’s establishment is trying to co-opt or even sabotage progressive candidates.

Crowley has been careful to distance himself from this label, insisting that he’s not an “establishment candidate” and that his winning strategy was all about building personal connections with voters. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that Evers’ endorsement – and Crowley’s subsequent victory – may have helped to galvanize support among moderate Democrats who were previously on the fence.

The Road Ahead

This outcome suggests that Hong’s campaign was not a fluke – but rather a sign of a deeper trend towards more progressive politics. And while Crowley may have won the nomination, he will still face an uphill battle against Republican Tom Tiffany in November.

In the end, this election is less about winning or losing – and more about building a movement that can shape the party’s agenda for years to come. As Wisconsin Democratic consultant Joe Zepecki noted, “We have to take these people seriously… We have to find space for them in the pro-democracy movement and in Democratic campaigns.” Because if we don’t, we risk missing out on an opportunity to build a more inclusive and progressive party – one that can actually deliver on its promises to voters.

The stakes are high in November’s general election – and it remains to be seen whether Crowley or Hong’s supporters will be able to mobilize the kind of grassroots energy needed to defeat Tiffany. But one thing is clear: this election is just a small part of a larger story about the future of progressive politics in Wisconsin – and beyond.