Source: Politico
Introduction
The recent defeat of Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary has ignited a sharp debate within the American left. While the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have enjoyed a string of victories in other regions, this specific loss has prompted a period of intense reflection and finger-pointing regarding the movement's electoral strategy.
The narrative that the far-left is currently experiencing an unstoppable insurgency is being re-evaluated in light of these results. Even some progressives are happy about Hong’s loss, suggesting that the outcome highlights a critical distinction between different factions of the broader progressive movement and the necessity for high-quality candidates in competitive battleground states.
What Happened
Tuesday’s primary election saw Francesca Hong, a candidate aligned with the democratic socialist wing of the party, fall short in her bid for the Wisconsin gubernatorial nomination. Despite the momentum the DSA had gathered in previous weeks through successes in New York and Colorado, Hong failed to secure a victory in a race that saw her distanced from major national figures.
The result has created a clear divide in how the movement interprets failure. Some activists within the DSA have criticized fellow left-leaning figures for failing to provide adequate support, while institutional-leaning progressives argue that Hong was a candidate with significant weaknesses who struggled to manage negative media coverage and self-inflicted gaffes.
Background
The political landscape for progressives has been mixed throughout this election cycle. While candidates like Peggy Flanagan achieved a 20-point margin in Minnesota’s Senate primary and Abdul El-Sayed narrowly secured a victory in Michigan, Hong’s campaign did not receive the same level of institutional backing or national enthusiasm.
Prominent national voices, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, notably declined to endorse Hong. This strategic distance was mirrored by influential Wisconsin progressives, such as Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Mark Pocan, who opted to remain neutral during the primary process.
Key Details
| Candidate/Entity | Primary Outcome/Role |
|---|---|
| Francesca Hong | Lost Wisconsin gubernatorial primary |
| Peggy Flanagan | Won Minnesota Senate primary by 20 points |
| Abdul El-Sayed | Won Michigan Senate primary |
| Rebecca Cooke | Won Wisconsin 3rd District primary |
| Kelda Roys | Received over 7% of the vote in the Wisconsin primary |
The data from the primary highlights the varying degrees of success for progressive candidates across the country. While some secured comfortable leads, others like Hong were hampered by a lack of national support and the presence of a fellow progressive, State Senator Kelda Roys, who drew away more than 7 percent of the total vote.
Impact
The loss has triggered a broader conversation about the future of democratic socialism in Wisconsin. Some political operatives have suggested that there is a definitive "ceiling" for the movement's reach in the state, contrasting it with the broader, more traditional progressive approach favored by figures like Senator Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin’s success has been largely attributed to her focus on agricultural issues, health care, and local economic concerns, rather than engagement in polarizing cultural debates.
Furthermore, the contrast between the volunteer efforts seen in Michigan for El-Sayed and the relative isolation of Hong’s campaign in Wisconsin has frustrated some organizers. Figures such as Cenk Uygur, founder of The Young Turks, pointed out that Hong struggled to build a effective counter-narrative against negative press, ultimately hindering her path to victory.
What Happens Next
The aftermath of the primary has left the movement grappling with its future trajectory as it looks toward the 2028 election cycle. Critics within the movement, such as Current Affairs editor Nathan J. Robinson, have urged national leaders like Ocasio-Cortez to be more proactive in supporting candidates who have a viable path to success, warning that future losses could undermine the movement's credibility.
Meanwhile, organizations like Our Revolution have issued veiled criticisms of those who withheld support, emphasizing that building power requires solidarity regardless of whether a candidate is a guaranteed winner. As the dust settles, the debate continues over whether the movement will prioritize ideological purity or focus on candidate viability in key battleground territories.
