DSA's Hong Defeated In Dramatic Wisconsin Upset
Larry O'Connor > Video
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Francesca Hong faced a dramatic defeat in the Wisconsin Governor's race, despite leading in polls by significant margins just days before the primary. Leading by 18 to 22 points, her campaign faltered due to several factors. The commissioned poll by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm, showed her ahead by 18%, but the Crowley campaign disputed it, citing assumptions about a younger electorate and a lack of advertising by Hong. As it turned out, the historical turnout model was more accurate, with older voters, who tend to vote more consistently, showing up in greater numbers. This upset mirrors the close race in Michigan's primary, where Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won by just one point. Both races highlight the unpredictability of primary elections and the potential pitfalls of relying heavily on polling data. Hong's loss may disenchant younger voters, potentially affecting future turnout. Meanwhile, Crowley now faces the challenge of unifying the Democratic electorate in Wisconsin, similar to the task ahead for El-Sayed in Michigan.
