Story perspectives

Tiffany secures GOP nod; Crowley narrowly beats Hong

8/12/2026

Center

David Crowley Wins

Wisconsin held its primary elections on August 11–12, 2026 to select Republican and Democratic nominees for governor.
Democrat David Crowley narrowly defeated State Rep. Francesca Hong by about half a percentage point in the Democratic primary.
Tom Tiffany won the Republican nomination with roughly 97% of the primary vote.
Governor Tony Evers’s office, which endorsed Democrat David Crowley, will control Wisconsin’s 2028 congressional redistricting.

Left

Tiffany Wins Primary

Wisconsin held its primary elections on August 11–12, 2026 to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for governor.
The contest highlighted a stark ideological split, with far-right Republican Tom Tiffany versus democratic-socialist Francesca Hong, whose remarks alarmed voters.
Tiffany won nomination 95% of votes, endorsed by President Donald Trump, and voted against Juneteenth.
Hong led contest, faced Thanksgiving criticism and received no Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) or Sanders endorsements.

History

Historical Context

After the open 2010 gubernatorial race—where Republican Scott Walker defeated Democrat Tom Barrett with 52.25% of the vote—he enacted Act 10, sparking 2011 protests and a 2012 recall that he survived with a 57.8% turnout. The reforms now shape the 2026 primary, where Trump-backed Tom Tiffany challenges Democrat Francesca Hong as redistricting looms.

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David Crowley Wins

Wisconsin held its primary elections on August 11–12, 2026 to select Republican and Democratic nominees for governor.
Democrat David Crowley narrowly defeated State Rep. Francesca Hong by about half a percentage point in the Democratic primary.
Tom Tiffany won the Republican nomination with roughly 97% of the primary vote.
Governor Tony Evers’s office, which endorsed Democrat David Crowley, will control Wisconsin’s 2028 congressional redistricting.

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