Francesca Hong lost the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin by 1 percentage point to moderate David Crowley. Hong gained support with her image as an "ordinary person" and practical pledges such as expanding public transportation and regulating AI data centers, but she faced criticism from conservatives who labeled her policies "Canadian-style socialism." Wisconsin is a swing state where Democrats and Republicans alternate victories, so Hong's defeat is seen as a sign that moderate candidates are losing ground. Hong supporters were captivated by his policies and "ordinary person" image and expect him to run again despite the loss.
