Overview
- Public polls show Francesca Hong leading the field but with a large share of undecided voters, leaving the race volatile as the Aug. 11 primary nears.
- David Crowley withdrew in early July, reentered the race later that month, and has won Gov. Evers’ endorsement while mounting a late push with an internal poll that says the contest is much closer when turnout models change.
- State election records show more than 100,000 absentee ballots were returned before recent candidate exits, and many of those votes were cast for candidates who have since withdrawn and cannot be rescinded.
- Hong has faced renewed scrutiny over past social posts calling for defunding police and criticizing holidays, and she has publicly clarified that she does not support abolishing the police; Evers has questioned her general‑election viability.
- The primary’s outcome will shape Democratic strategy in Wisconsin because the winner will face Republican Tom Tiffany, who holds a multi‑million dollar fundraising advantage and presents a tough general‑election test.