Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and centrist David Crowley were separated by less than one percentage point in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, with 94 percent of votes counted by Wednesday morning. Milwaukee County Executive Crowley held 39.9 percent to Hong’s 39.5 percent, according to The Associated Press.
The result reflects a wider contest within Democratic primaries between moderate candidates and more left-wing democratic socialists. The winner will face Republican nominee Tom Tiffany, who won his primary with 95.3 percent of the vote, in November’s general election.
Wisconsin puts competing Democratic priorities on display
Hong’s platform includes abolishing the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, imposing a one-year moratorium on new data centres, and raising taxes on billionaires and corporations. The source says those goals have attracted a sizeable share of Democratic voters.
Hong is running without endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She has also faced criticism over past Thanksgiving-related social-media posts and later said she did not want to cancel the holiday.
Related coverage: AIPAC’s $60 Million Influence in Michigan Senate Democratic Primary.
Progressive candidates make gains in Minnesota and Vermont
In Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated Representative Angie Craig, taking 59 percent of the vote to Craig’s 39.4 percent with 99 percent counted. Flanagan was elected on a ticket with Governor Tim Walz in 2018.
Minnesota’s Republican governor primary produced a different result for a Trump-backed candidate. Lisa Demuth defeated former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, 43.4 percent to 32.5 percent, with about 99 percent counted. In Vermont, Amanda Janoo won the Democratic gubernatorial primary with 49.1 percent, ahead of Aly Richards at 46.5 percent with about 98 percent counted. Republican incumbent Phil Scott ran unopposed and won.
Trump-backed candidates had mixed results elsewhere
In Alabama’s newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District, Trump-backed Rhett Marques won the Republican primary with 50 percent, while Hampton Harris received 21.6 percent. Marques will face Democrat Shomari Figures, who is seeking a second term. Ammie Akin and Jenny Carl won Republican primaries in Alabama’s 7th and 1st districts, respectively.
More context: Connecticut, Vermont and Alabama voters head to primaries.
South Carolina’s Republican Senate contest will continue to an August 25 runoff between Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman. Graham received 32.7 percent in the 10-candidate race, while Norman had 24.7 percent. Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham to serve the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term through early January; the eventual Republican nominee is favoured to win in November, according to the source.
Also read: Michigan Democrats Await Result in Tight El-Sayed-Stevens Senate Race.
No comments yet. Start the discussion.